OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Welcomes IGNITE and BUILD EXITO To Enhance Student Success
In a significant stride towards empowering aspiring healthcare professionals, the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health and Center for Internships, Mentoring and Research, are delighted to announce a partnership with Portland State University (PSU) IGNITE program.
Beginning this Fall 2023 term, IGNITE will be offering mentorship, financial support for mentors, and essential guidance to pre-health students, with a strong emphasis on leadership development. The collaboration brings an array of exciting opportunities, including accessible advisory services to our undergraduate students to foster their academic growth and career success, through our brand new Student Success Center (SSC).
The SSC, situated in the Vanport Building on the 6th floor (VPT 626), serves as a hub of resources and services to provide a robust, learning environment for our public health students.
The newly formed alliance between the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health and IGNITE aims to bridge the gap for students aspiring to enter the healthcare field.
IGNITE: Igniting the Path to Healthcare Success
IGNITE is a program designed to elevate students on their journey to healthcare careers. IGNITE’s mission is to empower students through a comprehensive approach that encompasses social, career-oriented, and academic support. This program not only seeks to reduce financial barriers but also offers students more time for activities that promote their success.
IGNITE initially began as a partnership between PSU, Kaiser Permanente, and The Contingent, and is actively working on strengthening its relationships with additional healthcare organizations.
This academic year, PSU’s Center for Internship, Mentoring & Research (CIMR) will be providing core support for the IGNITE program including recruitment and selection of mentors and mentees, mentor training, ongoing event support, and supporting matches throughout the year.
CIMR is a central hub for the consolidation, coordination, and support of undergraduate research and internship experiences at PSU. CIMR staff have years of experience supporting student facing programs with peer and faculty mentorship components focused on pathways into clinical and biomedical careers.
One of the hallmark features of this partnership is the two-day-a-week availability of IGNITE advisor Carlos Quatela. Carlos Quatela, a first-generation American and college graduate who brings a wealth of experience, holding an MS in Educational Leadership and Policy. His expertise in supporting first-generation college students through servant leadership philosophy and transition theory makes him a valuable resource. Whether it’s degree planning, navigating financial aid, pursuing graduate school opportunities, registering for classes, or crafting a compelling resume, Mr. Quatela is here to guide students through the process. His office hours are on Mondays & Thursday from 9:30am to 2:30pm in Vanport, VPT 630B and on Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 9:30am to 2:30pmCramer Hall 347.
Cassandra Ramirez is the CIMR Student Services Coordinator. They are a neurodivergent first generation college graduate with a B.A in Criminology and Criminal Justice from PSU. As CIMR’s Student Service Coordinator, they help undergraduate students in CIMR research programs and Ignite navigate the program and receive the support they need to succeed.
With the addition of these new services and resources, the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health is dedicated to providing comprehensive support for undergraduate students, ensuring that they have every opportunity to excel in their academic endeavors and reach their career goals. This collaboration is a testament to the unwavering commitment of these programs in nurturing the future leaders and problem solvers of the healthcare and scientific research realms.