Post by Jose Cuc-Reyes

Now that the year is over and summer is in full swing, I want to take a moment to recognize some of the fantastic things I was able to contribute this year! At the Carolina Latinx Center, we welcomed our inaugural cohort of LRI Scholars (Latinx Research Initiative) and onboarded one exceptional intern, Carolina Castro-Perez, to support the program's launch. The LRI was born out of the need to help students with no prior research background gain a foothold through one-on-one mentorship with a fantastic group of faculty mentors. The LRI is a cohort-based program that offers students the opportunity to connect with mentors and carry out a year-long research project. It is designed to support first-time researchers. The program empowers students to develop practical research skills, build confidence in academic spaces, and advance Latinx representation in scholarship and academia. The 2024–2025 cohort marked the launch of the Latinx Research Initiative. Scholars conducted mentored research in areas including Environmental Technology, prisoners' public health, Mental Health Access, and the Decolonization of Indigenous Communities in Venezuela. The program served as an entry point into research at Carolina, encouraging continued growth beyond the cohort. Our inaugural cohort brought together scholars from across professional schools and academic departments, demonstrating the program's broad interdisciplinary reach. The program's immediate success and lasting impact are reflected by the results. The majority of faculty mentors expressed enthusiasm about participating in future cohorts, while students consistently reported high levels of comfort in sharing concerns and challenges with their mentors. This level of trust and rapport was crucial to the program's effectiveness. The research skill development outcomes were equally encouraging. Mentors consistently observed significant growth in their mentees' research capabilities, while students praised their mentors for making valuable research connections. Participants said they would enthusiastically recommend the program to fellow students, and several scholars will continue their research beyond the formal program period. The program's impact extended far beyond technical skills. As one scholar reflected, "Overall, I learned a lot about the research process and how to properly plan and execute a study. My mentor was incredibly supportive and helped me refine both my topic and approach." Another participant shared how transformative the experience was: "In all honesty, Stephanie was the light I needed. Her support changed everything about how I view myself in academia." The LRI was designed to achieve: empowering Latinx students with research skills, confidence, and a genuine sense of belonging as scholars. I'm incredibly proud of what our inaugural cohort accomplished and excited to see how the program continues to grow and impact future Latinx researchers at Carolina.