The ASPBP May 2025 Webinar, Lab Coats & Listening Ears: Why Community Voices Matter in Research Design and Discovery, will take place at 2 PM EDT on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. The Webinar will be led by Shantoyia (Toy) Jones, of Xavier University of Louisiana, and Shatonda S. Jones, of St. Bonaventure University.

 Shantoyia (Toy) Jones, PhD

Shatonda S. Jones, PhD, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIST (Right)

Shantoyia (Toy) Jones, PhD: Dr. Toy Jones is a tenured- Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Director of Women’s Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana. Dr. Jones holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology with a graduate minor in Multicultural Studies from the University of Kansas. Before her role at Xavier, she worked clinically in university counseling centers, hospitals, and sexual assault response centers with survivors of sex trafficking, survivors of political torture seeking asylum, and directly with community stakeholders mobilizing grassroots efforts. As a counseling psychologist, her research focuses on the discovery of new phenomena and developing interventions that will best serve the needs of Black women and girls and the larger BIPOC community. As a qualitative and mixed methods researcher, she explores the interrelatedness and intersection of the following variables: sexual violence, trauma, IPV/DV, exploitation, identity development, sexual health decision-making, joy, pleasure, and sisterhood. She is the founder and principal investigator of the Social- Justice Participatory Action Research Collective (SPARC) and is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded researcher. Dear to her is her role as a “big sister” to TRUST, a Black woman affinity and activist support space for BIPOC women on Xavier’s campus. Central to her work as an activist-scholar is affirming Black women and girls’ lived experiences as sources of knowledge and developing community interventions that promote the emotional, psychological, and behavioral health of all BIPOC people.

Shatonda S. Jones, PhD, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIST: Dr. Shatonda S. Jones is an Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Education in the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Distance Education Program at St. Bonaventure University. Dr. Jones has 20 years of experience as a Speech Language Pathologist and over 15 years of teaching experience in higher education at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Dr. Jones specializes in adult and geriatric communication and swallowing disorders with a particular interest in motor speech disorders. Her research focuses on health capacity building in socially marginalized communities, diffusion of health information, cultural and linguistic diversity, innovative educational methods, and ultrasound technology as biofeedback with persons with various dysarthrias. She is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer (CBIST). She holds a PhD in Therapeutic Science from the University of Kansas, a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology (with an emphasis in medical speech-language pathology) from the University of Iowa, and a Bachelor of Science in speech-language pathology from the University of Tulsa. She will graduate with her Master’s in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University New Orleans in May 2025 and will begin her second research doctorate, a Doctor of Theology (ThD), at Kairos University, in Fall of 2025. Dr. Jones is dedicated to integrating clinical practice, scholarship, spirituality, and advocacy in her work.

2 PM EDT, Wednesday, May 28, 2025 - Lab Coats & Listening Ears: Why Community Voices Matter in Research Design and Discovery Scientific research has the power to drive equity, but only when it centers on the realities of those most often left out of discovery. This session is designed for bench scientists and STEM professionals who may not traditionally work with human populations but are seeking to integrate the values, needs, and lived experiences of historically marginalized communities into their research. Whether you’re studying molecules, genomic sequences, or disease pathways, your work does not exist in a vacuum. Communities shape science and science, in turn, shapes communities. Join Dr. Toy Jones and Dr. Shatonda Jones for an exploration of what it means to approach research ethically, respectfully, and collaboratively, even when working at the cellular or molecular level. We’ll discuss practical strategies for building trust and gaining access to underrepresented populations, how to design research questions that reflect community needs, and the importance of foundational ethical principles like autonomy, justice, beneficence, and respect for persons. Come ready to shift your paradigm from "research on" to "research with," even from the bench. To register for the May Webinar, click here.

Click Here to Register for the May Webinar

Deadline: May 30, 2025

The Association of STEMM Pathway and Bridge Programs (ASPBP) is pleased to announce the call for presentation abstracts for the ASPBP Conference to be held virtually on the Remo digital platform from October 7-9, 2025. The ASPBP Conference provides opportunities to connect with and learn from others, and will provide you with new teaching techniques, ideas and resources.

This year abstract proposals should fit into one of four formats:

• Member-Created Panel Submission
• Research Poster Presentations
• Programs/Highlights/Innovations
• Roundtable Guided Problem-Solving Session
• Individual Panelist Application Form
  (note: this will take you to an external site)

We will also be offering panel discussions in both traditional and non-traditional formats. If you have interest in participating in a panel discussion but do not have a panel in which to participate, please click HERE to learn more and apply as an individual panelist!

Due to the virtual format, we encourage you to research innovative ways to virtually engage participants. Collaborative submissions are encouraged!

All abstract submissions will undergo peer review using the following criteria: clarity of the proposal, the quality of content in the proposal, and interest to the ASPBP community. Potential presenters are encouraged to illustrate the innovative nature and/or timeliness of the content to be presented.

Abstract submission deadline: May 30, 2025 (11:59pm Eastern)
Author notifications will be sent in August

Please click here to submit your abstract.

Thank you,
ASPBP

Submit Your Abstract Here

ASPBP will host an informational session on "Pathway Grant Letter of Intent and Application," and will take place on Monday, April 14, 2025, at 12:00 PM EDT. 

Joanne King, with NBME, along with the ASPBP Research and Scholarship Committee, will be presenting on the upcoming Request for Grant Applications.

For more information on this funding opportunity, click here.

Monday, April 14, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT
To register for the Zoom session, click here.

Register for this Zoom Session!

NBME has a long history of contributing to the medical education and assessment communities with the goal of improving patient care through quality assessment of medical professionals. To further build on our contributions and our commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the medical and assessment professions, we are providing resources to assist programs and building collaborations that aid learners with education, mentorship and resources at a crucial time in their development. We hope to help programs develop and utilize best practices to drive positive changes in medical education in the long term and support the Association of STEMM Bridge and Pathway Programs (ASPBP) in developing a pathway program community of practice. To that end, in 2024, NBME collaborated with ASPBP to establish 13 grants totaling $350,000 to institutions and other nonprofit organizations implementing pathway programs. 

As we continue our support of pathways to medicine, NBME and ASPBP are initiating another call for applications in 2025 to continue to investigate the effectiveness of strategies that increase the representation of individuals in the medical profession. These grants are intended to support pathway programs across the entire educational continuum. Community-based, elementary to high school and higher education programs are invited to submit applications that focus on evaluating the evidence for success of a particular educational or programmatic intervention strategy. 

There are two different funding opportunities: 

• SEED Grants: One-time grants of up to $20,000 for programs wanting to develop the foundation for rational design of an intervention strategy or strategies.
• Material and Resource Grants: One-time grants of up to $55,000 for programs wanting to improve their curriculum with needed educational resources such as learning management software, student data management software, educational or learning software.

Eligibility to apply includes not-for-profit organizations and programs or their fiscal sponsors and not-for-profit institutions. 

Initial letters of intent are due by April 28, 2025. After reviewing Letters of Intent, NBME will invite full proposals in early July. Full proposal applications are due by July 21, 2025.

Interested applicants can learn more about the requirements and how to apply at https://www.nbme.org/contributions/pathway-program-grants. 

NBME contributes to the medical education and assessment communities with the goal of improving patient care through quality assessment of medical professionals, supporting the development of a diverse and compassionate health care workforce. To achieve this goal, NBME – in collaboration with the Association of STEMM Pathway and Bridge Programs (ASPBP) – awarded a total of $350,000 in grants to programs that investigate the effectiveness of strategies that increase the representation of individuals in the medical profession.

By providing resources to assist programs and building collaborations that aid learners with education, mentorship and resources at a crucial time in their development, we hope to help programs develop and utilize best practices to drive positive changes in medical education in the long term and support ASPBP in developing a pathway program community of practice.

These grants support pathway programs across the entire educational continuum. Community-based, elementary to high school and higher education programs were invited to submit applications that focus on evaluating the evidence for success of a particular educational or programmatic intervention strategy. NBME plans to announce the 2025 grant cycle in March.

The awarded grants are listed below and include multi-year grants ranging from $25,000 - $100,000- and single-year grants for $20,000 and $5,000 respectively.

Multi-Year Grant - $100,000 per year for three years

• University of California San Diego School of Medicine

Multi-Year Grant - $50,000 per year for three years

• University of Washington School of Medicine's Center for Workforce Inclusion and Healthcare System Equity (WIHSE)

Multi-Year Grant - $25,000 per year for three years

• University of South Carolina School of Medicine
• Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University

Seed Grants - $20,000

• Central Michigan University College of Medicine
• Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM)
  
• Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine and Bound Together
  

• Long School of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

• National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians

• Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

• UMass Chan Medical School - Lahey Hospital and Medical Center

Material and Resource Grants - $5,000

• Health Professional Student Association
• Texas A&M University Health Science Center

ASPBP Community Planning Session Available
During Wednesday's Meeting

ASPBP will have its General Members Meeting on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 2:00 PM EST.

The purpose of this session is to hear from you, our ASPBP community, about any shifts or challenges happening with your programs this year. We will make space for you to share what you're experiencing, and allow time to workshop collaborative strategies for supporting one another.

To view the meeting agenda, click here.

To join the meeting on Wednesday, click here.
Meeting ID: 827 4899 3465
Passcode: 116376

Share With Us! Deadline is Friday, December 20

We publish our ASPBP Wire newsletter twice a year, in January and July or August. One popular section of the newsletter is our Kudos section, where we highlight special awards, promotions, and recently published articles of our members.

As we prepare for the next issue, we would appreciate your contributions. If you have any noteworthy achievements or publications you’d like to share, please submit the information using this form.

Deadline: Friday, December 20, 2024

Submit Your Kudos for PBP Wire!

Nominations for several officer positions and committee chairs were sought from the general membership. The ballot for those leadership positions were sent to the ASPBP membership on August 21, and the ballot closed September 20. Their terms commenced immediately following the conference in October this year. It is our pleasure to announce to you the results of this election.

• Peter Vollbrecht, President-Elect
• Joshua Costin, Annual Conference Chair
• Brianne Lewis, Membership and Internal Communications Chair
• Courisse Knight, Public Relations and Advocacy Chair
• Ingrid Bahner, Research and Scholarship Chair
• Vicky Rhine, Western Region Representative
• Gerica Lee, Central Region Representative
• Nishika Edwards, Southern Region Representative
• Luckson Omoaregba, Northeastern Region Representative

Please join us in congratulating the new members of ASPBP leadership and in thanking our previous leaders who are stepping down from office for their past and ongoing dedication and service.

Make a Difference!
Apply for the 2025 ASPBP Program Committee Today!

The time has come to begin planning for the ASPBP 2025 Annual Conference! We are pleased to announce openings for multiple new members to join the ASPBP Conference Program Committee. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to our annual gathering of the membership. Did you enjoy the conference, but have some ideas to improve it? Maybe you are great at logistics and would like to lend a helping hand? More than just a line on a CV for promotion, involvement in this committee is very collaborative and offers members a way to make a true impact. Please join us!

Position Overview:

• Committee Role: ASPBP Conference Committee member
• Open to new members: No ASPBP experience required
• Time commitment: One hour meeting per month, or possibly week, with deliverables due

Key Responsibilities:

• Participate in regular committee meetings
• Work collaboratively with committee members
• Take lead on an aspect of conference planning
• Meet deadlines for the planning schedule
• Bring new ideas for group consideration and discussion
• Ready accessibility by email from January 2025 through the program in October 2025

For the committee, we are seeking a broad representation of professional educators, from K-12 to undergraduate and graduate programs. The names of participating ASPBP members will be credited in the conference program.

Application Process:

If you would like to be considered for a position on the Program Committee, please complete this form by November 30, 2024, so we can begin our meetings in January 2025. 

We hope that you will consider becoming involved in this important and collegial work. For additional information or questions, please contact support@aspbp.org. 

Thank you
Joshua Costin
2025 ASPBP Annual Program Committee Chair

Volunteer for 2025 ASPBP Program Committee!

Cast Your Vote on the ASPBP Bylaw Amendments!

The ASPBP Bylaws Committee submitted their suggestions for changes to the general council for approval a few weeks ago. To aid you in reviewing the suggested bylaws changes, we have created a summary list of the proposed amendments below:

• Change of vision statement to be more inclusive (amendment 1)
• Changes to correct bylaws language (amendment 2)
• Better define roles
  - President (amendment 3)
  - Secretary (amendment 5)
• Creation of Vice Chairs to better help with transition (amendment 6)
• Clarification of the nomination and election timeline with dates to make for smooth transition (amendment 8)
• Clarification of term limits (amendment 9)
• Clarification of how vacancies on general council will be addressed to ensure continuity (amendment 10)
• Removal of officers and reasons for removal (amendment 11)
• Clarification for how the nominating committee will be formed to allow for a smooth election and transition (amendment 12)
• Membership and Internal Communications name change to Membership and Member Programming Committee (amendment 13)
• Clarifying language for past-president by calling them the current past-president (amendment 16)
• Clarification of language, removal of redundant language (amendment 2 and 15)
  - Changes to correct bylaws language referring to our goal (amendment 2)
  - Removal of redundant language (amendment 15)
  - Removal of language about how we notify about the next conference (amendment 17)

To view the existing ASPBP Bylaws, click here.

To vote on the proposed bylaw amendments, click here.

The deadline to vote on the ASPBP Bylaw Amendments is November 18, 2024!

Vote on Proposed ASPBP Bylaw Amendments