Spring 2025 NCHC Portz Grant Recipient

University of Maryland

"Expanding Global Perspectives through Experiential Learning in Puerto Rico"

Project Description, Goals, Rationale, and Innovation

The proposed project, Expanding Global Perspectives through Experiential Learning in Puerto Rico, seeks to develop an interdisciplinary, high-impact study abroad program for honors students in the Integrated Life Sciences (ILS) Honors Program at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD). This program is designed to broaden the perspectives of ILS students, who are typically immersed in rigorous scientific coursework, by encouraging them to engage with the historical, cultural, and social dimensions of the health and environmental challenges they study.

Through lectures, site visits, and hands-on service projects, students will examine how Puerto Rican communities respond to challenges such as public health inequities, renewable energy, healthcare systems, and environmental sustainability. While ILS students excel in data-driven problem-solving and laboratory research, they often have limited exposure to the societal contexts that shape real-world scientific challenges. This program pushes them to think beyond traditional STEM frameworks, developing the skills necessary to become well-rounded scientists, medical professionals, and policymakers who understand the intersection of science, policy, and social justice.

This initiative aligns with the Shared Principles and Practices of Honors Education, particularly in the areas of:

• Inclusive Pedagogies – Students will engage in discussions and experiential learning that challenge dominant narratives, incorporating perspectives from historically marginalized communities in Puerto Rico. The program provides cultural competency training that is crucial for future professionals in STEM, life sciences, and medical education, ensuring that they can effectively work in diverse, global environments.
• Laboratory for Innovation – This program serves as a model for interdisciplinary, communitybased learning, encouraging students to step beyond the scientific mindset and explore the human impact of science through service, policy discussions, and cultural engagement.
• Global Orientation – By expanding internationalization opportunities in STEM, life sciences, and medical education, the program fosters cross-cultural competence and positions UMD as a leader in global learning within honors education. This initiative is a crucial step in diversifying study abroad opportunities for students in science-focused disciplines, who traditionally have fewer global learning experiences compared to students in the humanities and social sciences.

Beneficiaries of the Project

The primary beneficiaries of this project include:

• ILS Honors students at the University of Maryland – This program provides an immersive, interdisciplinary experience that is not traditionally available in standard coursework. ILS students, who are deeply entrenched in a scientific mindset, will step beyond laboratory research and engage with the historical, cultural, and social dimensions of the challenges they study. By doing so, they will develop critical thinking, research, and cross-cultural communication skills essential for careers in medicine, public health, environmental science, and policy. The program provides a crucial internationalization opportunity for STEM students, allowing them to gain firsthand experience in global healthcare systems, environmental sustainability, and community-driven public health solutions.
• Local communities in Puerto Rico – A key aspect of this program is the service-learning initiative with Casa Pueblo Adjuntas, where students will actively contribute to community-driven sustainability projects, supporting local initiatives focused on energy independence, disaster recovery, and environmental conservation.
• Faculty and institutions – The collaboration with Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico (PUCPR) fosters academic partnerships between UMD and Puerto Rican institutions, strengthening research collaboration and educational exchange.

This program is particularly valuable within the context of UMD’s Integrated Life Sciences (ILS) Honors Program, a living-learning community designed to prepare students for careers in biomedical and environmental sciences. However, ILS students are often trained primarily in data-driven, experimental methodologies and rarely have opportunities to engage with the human impact of science. This program encourages them to step outside their comfort zones, fostering a more holistic, socially conscious approach to problem-solving.

By embedding students in real-world, community-based learning experiences, this program helps shape scientists and medical professionals who are not only technically skilled but also culturally competent and globally engaged. The program also serves as a model for integrating internationalization into STEM, life sciences, and medical education, ensuring that students are equipped with cross-cultural competencies necessary for addressing global challenges.

Moreover, this initiative has the potential to scale beyond the initial cohort, serving as a template for interdisciplinary, experiential learning within honors education at UMD and beyond.

Institutional Support and Future Sustainability

The University of Maryland has demonstrated strong institutional support for this project through:

• Faculty and Administrative Endorsement – The ILS Honors Program has fully integrated this study abroad experience into its curricular offerings, ensuring continued interest and participation among students. Faculty from UMD and PUCPR will co-lead the program, fostering long-term academic partnerships.
• Resource Allocation – The Office of International Affairs and the Honors College have provided logistical and academic support for the development of this program. The infrastructure for study abroad programs is well-established at UMD, ensuring smooth implementation and sustainability.
• Potential for Expansion – This initiative serves as a pilot program for integrating experiential learning into other honors tracks, with the potential to expand to additional locations and disciplines.