# UNM FIRST: Evaluation Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO · 2022 · $177,306

## Abstract

Project Summary
The Evaluation Core of the UNM FIRST program will use cutting edge theoretical, measurement, and statistical
approaches to conduct an innovative test of the effects of implementing a cohort model of faculty hiring,
sponsorship, ongoing mentoring and support, and faculty development. Our long-term goal is to transform
institutional culture at The University of New Mexico (UNM) to increase diversity and inclusive excellence. Our
central hypothesis is that increasing and supporting faculty diversity and inclusion in STEM fields requires
ongoing evaluation and self-reflection, and that evaluating implementation progress and challenges is critical to
changing institutional culture. The specific aims of the UNM FIRST Evaluation Core are: to coordinate with the
FIRST Coordination Evaluation Center (CEC) to evaluate the impact of the cohort cluster hiring model at
multiple levels of analysis (AIM 1); to build upon data collection established by the NSF funded UNM
ADVANCE Program, including characterizing faculty perceptions of the institutional climate and culture and the
inner and outer context of research support in STEM related fields (AIM 2); to apply promising practices
grounded in the science of team science to increase stakeholder engagement in the implementation and
evaluation of UNM FIRST at all levels across UNM (AIM 3); and to test the implementation and effectiveness
of UNM FIRST using a multilevel and multimethod analysis examining individual and institutional outcomes
over time in the years proceeding and following the hiring of faculty by the UNM FIRST program (AIM 4).
Specifically, we will use a mixed-methods longitudinal within- and between-subjects design to continuously
monitor, track, and evaluate FIRST program activities and the outcomes of the FIRST program in changing
institutional culture toward inclusive excellence and greater scientific discovery. Primary outcomes to be
evaluated, include common data elements identified by the FIRST CEC, as well as metrics that are important
to the UNM FIRST program, such as: (1) success among UNM FIRST Faculty hires in obtaining NIH R01-level
funding; (2) transformation of institutional culture and climate to support diverse faculty; (3) promotion and
tenure of UNM FIRST Faculty and other diverse faculty; and (4) retention of UNM FIRST Faculty and other
diverse faculty. The science of team science and implementation science strategies and methods will serve as
the guiding frameworks for evaluation of the UNM FIRST program. We will use implementation
science methods to maximize the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of
evidence-based practices by the UNM FIRST program in promoting inclusive excellence. The significance of
the proposed research is to determine the impact that faculty cohort hiring models can have on institutional
culture change and to increase the NIH biomedical workforce.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10493713
- **Project number:** 1U54CA272167-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO
- **Principal Investigator:** Katie A Witkiewitz
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $177,306
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10493713

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10493713, UNM FIRST: Evaluation Core (1U54CA272167-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10493713. Licensed CC0.

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