Cast Your Vote on the ASPBP Bylaw Amendments!

The ASPBP Bylaws Committee recently submitted their suggestions for changes to the general council. Please take the time to review the suggested bylaws changes and vote on them.

To view the existing ASPBP Bylaws, click here.

To view and vote on the proposed bylaw amendments, click here.

The deadline to vote on the ASPBP Bylaw Amendments is Friday October 24, 2025!

Thank you,
Peter Vollbrecht
President-Elect, ASPBP
Chair, ASPBP Bylaws Committee

Vote on Proposed ASPBP Bylaw Amendments

The Association of STEMM Pathway and Bridge Programs (ASPBP) would like to introduce you to Dr. Nancy Moreno, Professor and Chair, Huffington Department of Education, Innovation & Technology at Baylor College of Medicine, Plenary Speaker of the 2025 ASPBP Virtual Conference! Moreno's Plenary Session is titled Benefits and Limitations of Boutique Approaches to Pathway Programs.

Dr. Nancy Moreno

Nancy P. Moreno, PhD, is Professor and Chair of the Huffington Department of Education, Innovation & Technology, Thomas R. Powers Chair of Educational Outreach, and Director of the Center for Educational Outreach at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, Texas, USA. Trained as a biologist, she aims to improve the quality of science and health teaching and learning at all educational levels; develop faculty members’ abilities as educators and educational scholars; develop a more scientifically literate population; and promote preparedness for, and access to careers in science, medicine and the health professions. Her funded research develops educational partnerships, pathway programs, and transdisciplinary science and health educational materials on topics such as science communication and neuroscience. She also served as Associate Provost of Faculty Development at BCM.

Dr. Moreno is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and received the Robertson Presidential Award for Excellence in Education, BCM’s most prestigious award for faculty educational contributions. She earned her BA with distinction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, MSc from the Institute Nacional de Investigaciones sobre Recursos Bioticos in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, and her PhD in biology from Rice University.

"Benefits and Limitations of Boutique Approaches to Pathway Programs"

12:00 PM - 12:50 PM EDT Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Pathway programs across the country have developed innovative, community-responsive models that reflect deep commitment and vision in addressing local needs to build a future science and healthcare workforce. These tailored approaches offer valuable insights and impact, yet there are opportunities to enhance their reach and sustainability through shared practices, professional development, and institutional support. This session will explore strategies for building stronger networks, recognizing outreach as a scholarly discipline, and fostering scalable models. A case study from a single institution will illustrate how a systemwide, community-engaged framework can amplify local successes and support long-term growth and sustainability.

2025 Virtual Conference Info

The ASPBP 2025 Annual Virtual Conference will be held October 7-9, 2025. The ASPBP conference provides opportunities to connect with and learn from others who share the same passion for increasing opportunities for entry into STEMM. The annual ASPBP conference will provide you with new approaches, ideas and resources across the pathway programs ecosystem, from K-12 programs to post-bacc and Master's degree programs. Our theme is "Broadening the Path: Connecting Pathways and Building Bridges to Potential."

By registering for the virtual conference you will gain access to your choice of breakout sessions, virtual poster sessions, short communication sessions, panels, plenary and more! Please note that you will need to register and be signed in to view any conference events or materials.

Additional meeting details and registration can be found at www.ASPBPconference.org.

Register Today!

The Association of STEMM Pathway and Bridge Programs (ASPBP) would like to introduce you to Susan Ipri-Brown, Principal Consultant at Empowerment Levers, Plenary Speaker of the 2025 ASPBP Virtual Conference! Ipri-Brown's Plenary Session is titled Empowering Your Sphere of Influence.

Susan Ipri-Brown

Susan Ipri-Brown is the principal consultant at Empowerment Levers, specializing in the strategic implementation of educational programs. Prior to her consulting firm, Susan served as the Strategic Initiatives Manager at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Office of Advanced Manufacturing. At NIST, Susan expanded strategic collaborations in advanced manufacturing technology and workforce development among Manufacturing USA stakeholders inside and outside of government. Susan additionally worked as the founding Associate Dean for Educational Outreach and as an Associate Professor of Engineering Instruction at Hope College. She has also held positions with the Northwestern University Office of STEM Education Partnerships, several North Carolina school districts, Delphi Automotive Systems, and the Michigan Legislative Service Bureau. As an American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Federal Fellow, Susan served a year at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Within her work and community, Susan is a long-time advocate of programs that enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in the engineering profession. She served as the 143rd president of ASME where she is a Fellow and has held a range of leadership positions. Susan earned her master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Princeton University.

"Empowering Your Sphere of Influence"

2:30 PM - 3:20 PM EDT Thursday, October 9, 2025

Maximizing the impact of our STEMM programs requires each of us to align our program goals with our unique sphere of influence. Understanding who we can influence and how we can empower those audiences is often assumed in our program planning. Taking the time to define those spheres and tailoring the details of our programs can achieve higher levels of empowerment for those we serve.

2025 Virtual Conference Info

The ASPBP 2025 Annual Virtual Conference will be held October 7-9, 2025. The ASPBP conference provides opportunities to connect with and learn from others who share the same passion for increasing opportunities for entry into STEMM. The annual ASPBP conference will provide you with new approaches, ideas and resources across the pathway programs ecosystem, from K-12 programs to post-bacc and Master's degree programs. Our theme is "Broadening the Path: Connecting Pathways and Building Bridges to Potential."

By registering for the virtual conference you will gain access to your choice of breakout sessions, virtual poster sessions, short communication sessions, panels, plenary and more! Please note that you will need to register and be signed in to view any conference events or materials.

Additional meeting details and registration can be found at www.ASPBPconference.org.

Register Today!

Abstract Submission Deadline: October 31, 2025

ASPBP is excited to continue the series "Tips & Tricks for Successful Pathway and Bridge Programs" in the upcoming issue of PBP Wire (January/February 2026 Vol. 9). We want to hear your tips and tricks for running successful programs and are excited to announce the call for short article abstract submissions. 

These articles should offer practical and feasible advice for improving the recruitment of students to and/or participation in programming, ways to increase pre-matriculation competencies of students, or ways to improve teaching and learning.  Programs should target one of the following populations- K-12 outreach and enrichment, undergraduate engagement, or post-baccalaureate programs. Articles should be brief- a maximum of 800 words, not counting your abstract, references, and acknowledgments. Captions count towards the word limit. Articles are limited to a maximum combined three figures/tables, as our goal is to limit the article to two and a half pages.

Interested authors should submit a 200-word abstract discussing their proposed article by Friday, October 31, 2025. Abstract submissions can be made on the member portal here. Individuals will be notified in early June of their selection. Only members who are up-to-date on their dues are eligible to submit.

Join or Renew Your Membership Today!

Criteria for Abstract Selection

• Relevance to the ASPBP community
• Mission fit with regards to ASPBP
• Focused on improving recruitment of students or participation in programming, increasing pre-matriculation competencies of students, or improving teaching and learning within PBP (K-12, undergraduate, or post-baccalaureate programs)
• Tips and tricks are innovative, engaging, or push forward the ASPBP community
• Tips and tricks are feasible and can be replicated
• Tips and tricks are clearly presented and easy to follow

Schedule

• Late September - abstract submission opens
• October 31st - submission closes
• Mid-November - individuals will be notified. (Note, only paid members are eligible to submit! Join here: https://aspbp.wildapricot.org/join-us/)
• December 15th - full submissions due
• Late-December - submissions will be returned with comments
• Late-January/Early-February - article will be published in PBP Wire

Additional information for article submission

• Word or Google Doc
• Document format-double-spaced 11 pt. Times New Roman, including line numbers
• Figures and tables should be listed at the end of the document, but indicate within the article where you would like them to be placed
• Document Structure
  • Title page with author name and affiliation
  • Abstract and keywords (3-5)
  • Article with brief introduction, body, and conclusion. Please include lessons learned and how this may help others
  • Abbreviations
  • Acknowledgments
  • References (APA)
  • Conflict of interest statement
• Figure and table format-Initially the figures can be PDF, but final submissions should be in TIFF grayscale or the RGB color mode or PNF. 300 dpi. Please use accessible colors. Tables must be saved as a picture. Website links- All URL Addresses in the text should be accessible by click
• Any work that includes human data must have an IRB approval or a Not for Human Research designation
• Bio- All individuals published will be asked to submit a 100-word bio that will be published on the ASPBP site

For more information about this opportunity, please feel free to reach out to support@aspbp.org.

Log in to Submit Your Abstract

Become Part of the Future of STEMM Education

The Association of STEMM Pathway and Bridge Programs (ASPBP) would like to introduce you to Dr. Ernie Morton, PGY-4 Urology resident at Emory University, Plenary Speaker of the 2025 ASPBP Virtual Conference! Dr. Morton's Plenary Session is titled They're In! Now What? Unique Challenges Faced by Students Who've Successfully Completed a Bridge or Pathway Program and How to Support Them Once They've Moved On.

Dr. Ernie Morton

Dr. Ernest Morton, MD, MS, MBA, is a PGY-4 Urology resident at Emory University. He earned his MD from Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine in 2022, where he also completed the inaugural “Bridge to MD” program and received his MS in 2017. He holds an MBA from Western Michigan University as well.

A dedicated advocate for diversity in medicine, Dr. Morton served as president of the WMed Alumni Association (2022–2024) and is a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Drawing from his own journey to medical school, he authored "A Med Student’s Guide to Getting In," a resource to help pre-med students navigate the admissions process with insight and strategy.

Dr. Morton is actively engaged in translational research and quality improvement initiatives at Emory, with a focus on genetic testing and counseling in urology patients. He is also engaged in the integration of AI tools in outpatient clinical workflows. He is a proud member of the R. Frank Jones Urologic Society and remains committed to mentoring aspiring physicians from underrepresented backgrounds.

"They're In! Now What? Unique Challenges Faced by Students Who've Successfully Completed a Bridge or Pathway Program and How to Support Them Once They've Moved On"

12:00 PM - 12:50 PM EDT Tuesday, October 7, 2025

While many students enrolled in bridge or pathway programs ultimately succeed in matriculating into medical school, they often face unique challenges during their training that can heighten the stress and difficulty of an already demanding curriculum. These additional obstacles have the potential to impact both academic performance and long-term career trajectories. This presentation will focus on identifying these challenges and proposing proactive and real-time strategies to help students navigate and overcome them.

2025 Virtual Conference Info

The ASPBP 2025 Annual Virtual Conference will be held October 7-9, 2025. The ASPBP conference provides opportunities to connect with and learn from others who share the same passion for increasing opportunities for entry into STEMM. The annual ASPBP conference will provide you with new approaches, ideas and resources across the pathway programs ecosystem, from K-12 programs to post-bacc and Master's degree programs. Our theme is "Broadening the Path: Connecting Pathways and Building Bridges to Potential."

By registering for the virtual conference you will gain access to your choice of breakout sessions, virtual poster sessions, short communication sessions, panels, plenary and more! Please note that you will need to register and be signed in to view any conference events or materials.

Additional meeting details and registration can be found at www.ASPBPconference.org.

Register Today!

As a reminder, the Association of STEMM Pathway and Bridge Programs (ASPBP) would like to invite you to register for the ASPBP 2025 Annual Virtual Conference, to be held October 7-9, 2025. The ASPBP conference provides opportunities to connect with and learn from others who share the same passion for STEMM disciplines. The annual ASPBP conference will provide you with new approaches, ideas, and resources across the pathway programs ecosystem, from K-12 programs to post-bacc and Master's degree programs. Our theme is "Broadening the Path: Connecting Pathways and Building Bridges to Potential."

2025 Virtual Conference Info

By registering for the virtual conference you will gain access to your choice of plenaries, panels, program highlights and innovations, round tables, and networking! Please note that you will need to register and be signed in to view any conference events or materials.

Additional conference details and registration can be found at www.ASPBPconference.org.

Register Today!

The ASPBP September 2025 Webinar, Moral Distress: An Evolving Challenge, will take place at 2 PM EDT on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. The Webinar will be led by Bonnie M. Miller, of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Bonnie M. Miller, MD, MMHC

Bonnie M. Miller, MD, MMHC: Dr. Miller is a Professor of Medical Education and Administration Emeritus at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM). She attended Colorado College for her undergraduate education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Biology in 1976. she received her M.D. degree at the University of Oklahoma, graduating in 1980. She then moved to Nashville for six years of post-graduate training in general surgery at Vanderbilt University Affiliated Hospitals. After completing her residency, she spent one year in Seattle completing a fellowship in hepato-biliary disease at the Virginia Mason Clinic. In 1987, Dr. Miller returned to Nashville, and for 12 years served as an attending surgeon at Vanderbilt-affiliated teaching hospitals.

From 1999 until 2019, Dr. Miller served in a variety of education leadership roles at VUSM, including Associate Dean for Medical Student Affairs (1999-2006), Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education (2006-2008), Senior Associate Dean for Health Sciences Education (2008-2019), Associate Vice-Chancellor for Health Affairs (2013-2016), and Executive Vice-President for Education Affairs at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC, 2016-2019). In the latter roles, she oversaw all programs related to the continuum of physician education at VUSM/VUMC. In addition, she oversaw administration of 10 other degree programs offered by VUSM, as well as certificate programs offered by VUMC's Center for Programs in Allied Health.

During her tenure, Dr. Miller guided VUSM through several cycles of curriculum reform. Specifically, she led VUSM's transition to Curriculum 2.0, an innovative program that moved core clerkships to the second year, allowed individualized pathways through the 2-year post-clerkship phase, and employed a competency-based approach to assessment. VUSM subsequently became recognized as a leader in medical education and numerous US medical schools adopted essential elements of this model. Dr. Miller has consulted with many schools that seek to transform medical education in the US and abroad. 

Dr. Miller served as the principal investigator for VUSM's Accelerating Change in Medical Education grant from the American Medical Association, and was a founding board member of the Kern National Network for Caring and Character in Medicine. In addition, she received grants that supported her interests in the moral and professional development of physicians, curriculum change, technology-enhanced learning, and continuous learning in medicine. Most recently, she was the principal investigator for a grant from IBM-Watson Health that resulted in the creation of a list of interprofessional competencies for the use of artificial intelligence-based tools in clinical settings.

Since retiring from VUSM, Dr. Miller has served as a physician advisor for the Tennessee Department of Health Office of Primary Prevention, helping on special projects related to health equity, population health, and healtjh professions education.

2 PM EDT, Wednesday, September 24, 2025 - Moral Distress: An Evolving Challenge

Moral distress was first described in 1984 by Andrew Jameton in the context of clinical nursing as, "The negative emotions or feelings that arise when one knows the morally correct response to a situation but cannot take action because of hierarchical or systematic constraints." Since then, the construct has been expanded and applied widely to many professions and professional situations in which persons find themselves faced with circumstances or demands that threaten their moral integrity. This talk will review the evolution of the construct and will challenge participants to consider how recent social and political developments might create moral distress in their own professional lives. It will also explore ways of constructively dealing with moral distress.

Click Here to Register for the September Webinar

We are thrilled to announce that nominations are now open for the 2025 ASPBP Awards, celebrating outstanding contributions to STEMM pathway and bridge programs! These awards recognize excellence and commitment across our vibrant community. A total of 6 awards will be given: Outstanding Faculty Research Award (2 awards: Senior & Junior Faculty Designations) - Honors faculty whose rigorous, evidence-based research advances pathways and workforce development in STEMM. Outstanding ASPBP Leadership Award (1 award) - Recognizes exemplary service, mentorship, and leadership that strengthen ASPBP's mission. (Peer-nominated only) Outstanding Program Designations (3 awards: Director, Support Staff/Admin, Community Partner Designations) - Highlights the dedication and impact of those whose work is vital to successful pathway programs. How do I submit? Please follow the link to the submission portal. Please have the following materials ready for self-nominated awards: CV, letter of recommendation, description of the rubric are met by the applicant (max 500 words). For peer-reviewed awards, please have ready: Nominated awardee's information and a description of how the elements of the rubric are met by the applicant you are nominating (max 500 words). What are the review criteria? The full review criteria, including scoring rubrics, are posted for you to review on the membership awards page. Outstanding Faculty Research Award ASPBP Leadership Award Outstanding Program Award Help us recognize the outstanding people and partners who make STEMM pathways thrive! For questions, view the awards info on our website, or please reach out to Brianne Lewis, Chair of the Membership and Member Programming Committee at brianne.lewis@cmich.edu. We look forward to reviewing your nominations! Thank you ASPBP Membership and Member Programming Committee

Submit Your ASPBP Awards Nominations!

The Association of STEMM Pathway and Bridge Programs (ASPBP) would like to invite you to register for the ASPBP 2025 Annual Virtual Conference, to be held October 7-9, 2025. The ASPBP conference provides opportunities to connect with and learn from others who share the same passion for STEMM disciplines. The annual ASPBP conference will provide you with new approaches, ideas, and resources across the pathway programs ecosystem, from K-12 programs to post-bacc and Master's degree programs. Our theme is "Broadening the Path: Connecting Pathways and Building Bridges to Potential."

Click Here for More Info!

By registering for the virtual conference you will gain access to your choice of plenaries, panels, program highlights and innovations, round tables, and networking! Please note that you will need to register and be signed in to view any conference events or materials.

Additional conference details and registration can be found at www.ASPBPconference.org.

Programs in Flux
Wednesday, July 30, 2025

As a reminder, ASPBP is pleased to present its first Poolside Chat, set for Wednesday, July 30, 2025, from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT! The theme for this ASPBP Poolside Chat is Programs in Flux.

Grab your "swimsuit" and join us for an afternoon of real talk, reflection, and refreshment! This relaxed, come-as-you-are virtual event features four themed discussion tables designed to help you navigate the evolving tides of pathway programs, professional growth, and personal connection.

The Poolside Chat discussion tables will be as follows:

• Table 1: Refresh, Rethink, Repeat: Keeping Programs Afloat
• Table 2: New Shores Ahead: Career Currents & Creative Hustles
• Table 3: Off the Clock & Into the Deep: Escapes, Reads, and Recipes
• Table 4: Annual Conference Jacuzzi - Come on In, the Water is Warm

To download the ASPBP Poolside Chat flyer, click here.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Click Here to Register and Add the Poolside Chat to Your Calendar!