The coronavirus pandemic resulted in the canceling of numerous Leadership Alliance SR-EIP programs for various reasons. Informed by Alliance-wide coordinator meetings, surveys, and a consortium-wide vote, the majority of institutional members agreed to develop an online SR- EIP/professional development program at select research institutions. The online SR-EIP initiative will provide support for nearly 200 undergraduates and the professional development program will reach a broader base of students, undergraduates to increase their competitiveness and readiness for graduate programs.

The Leadership Alliance’s Virtual Professional Development series is the result of a collaborative effort that leverages the expertise of Alliance researchers and program administrators. The Professional Development series will be open to:

• Undergraduates who are participating in the virtual Summer Research Early Identification Program (VSR-EIP)

• Students who were accepted into the 2020 SR-EIP but are unable to participate in the VSR-EIP because their programs or research projects cannot be moved to the virtual platform

• Undergraduates from Alliance institutions who are not able to engage in a formal research experience.