The NOBCChE Collaborative’s purpose is to create and strengthen pathways to academic careers for NOBCChE undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral members, supporting the organization’s mission to cultivate talent, promote excellence, and broaden participation in academia.
Since 2016, the NOBCChE Collaborative has functioned as a multi‑institution academic ecosystem that forges pathways into faculty careers by coordinating research opportunities, mentoring structures, professional development, and shared programming across participating universities. It currently operates through two charters, each serving as a hub for networking, community building, and collaborative academic activities.
Charters build localized networks of faculty, students, and mentors to support academic persistence and professional growth.
A body that organizes programming, supports student engagement, and ensures student voices shape Collaborative activities.
Partners host NSF‑funded and institution‑based REU programs, providing hands-on research training and early exposure to academic careers.
Series that connect early‑ and mid-career scholars with faculty mentors, promote best practices, and strengthen retention and advancement.
Institutions coordinate to recruit students, share placement opportunities, and strengthen the academic pipeline across states and regions.
These charters serve as localized hubs, providing members with unique opportunities for networking, professional development, and community engagement. Joining a charter means becoming part of a supportive ecosystem that not only enhances your academic and professional journey but also contributes to the broader goals of expanding opportunities and advancing innovation in the scientific realm
Institution
Type
Hampton, VA
Drs. Michelle Waddell and Yohannes Getahun
Jackson, MS
Drs. Martha Mondoa-Tchounwou and Dalephine Davis
Pittsburgh, PA
Dr. Tara Meyer
Columbus, OH
Dr. Davita Watkins-Walters
Winston-Salem, NC
Dr. Kenneth Brown
Auburn, AL
Dr. Evert Duin
Board Member-At-Large
Institution
Type
Boston, MA
Drs. Malika Jeffries-EL and Sean Elliott
Pittsburgh, PA
Dr. Subha Das
Lincoln University, PA
Drs. Viridiana Herrera, Carla Gallager, and Jalaal Hayes
Cambridge, MA
Dr. Timothy Swager
Atlanta, GA
Dr. Juana Mendenhall
Boston, MA
Drs. Penny Beuning and Otonye Braide-Moncoeur
Atlanta, GA
Drs. Kimberly Jackson and Davita Camp
University, MS
Dr. Murrell Godfrey
Through a strategic blend of research opportunities, conferences, faculty seminars, and REU programs, our objectives converge to create an environment that nurtures academic curiosity, promotes inclusivity, and champions the success of every individual within our collaborative community. To achieve this goal, we have broken the objectives of the NOBCChE Collaborative into five major thrusts:
Share best practices in student retention
Provide academic and professional placement support for students at each stage
Recruit jointly to strengthen the academic pipeline
Establish a micro-network of cross-institutional relationships
Enable partners to define their own objectives and activities
Throughout the year, members participate in the planning of the NOBCChE National Conference, supporting programming and strategic initiatives. Ongoing momentum is sustained through monthly implementation and planning meetings, where teams coordinate activities, track progress, and drive collaborative action for Collaborative focused events.
The annual Collaborative Meeting brings together students, faculty, and partners for workshops, research presentations, and strategic planning.
Collaborative members participate in national programming, faculty seminars, student competitions, and networking events that advance academic career readiness.
Collaborative partner institutions assess progress toward shared goals, refine programming, and update implementation plans to strengthen the academic pipeline.
Explore research experiences for undergraduates at Collaborative Partner Institutions that are actively seeking undergraduate researchers. Each link below connects you directly to program details, eligibility requirements, and application information.
From one‑hour meetings to scientific presentations, professional development workshops, industry tours, and social gatherings, participants can plug in at the level and format that best fits their goals. Together, these activities create a dynamic year‑round ecosystem for learning, collaboration, and community building.
