Set to begin July 12, 2026, the two-week program invites rising 10th, 11th and 12th graders to the Harvey Mudd campus for a deep dive into hands-on research, collaborative design and humanistic inquiry.

鈥淎SPIRE is designed to give high-achieving students an early glimpse into what it means to study 无忧视频 at Harvey Mudd,鈥� says Cindy Martinez, vice president for student affairs and dean of students. 鈥淲orking closely with our faculty and receiving mentorship from current Harvey Mudd students, participants will experience the collaborative learning culture that defines the Mudd community.”

ASPIRE is fully residential. Participants will live in Harvey Mudd鈥檚 residence halls, eat at the highly rated Hoch-Shanahan Dining Commons and take part in 鈥渃areer treks鈥� to Southern California companies working at the intersection of technology, creativity and entrepreneurship.

“The residential component is critical,鈥� Martinez adds. 鈥淲hat makes the Harvey Mudd experience special is the way students learn together鈥攕upporting one another, exploring ideas and building community both inside and outside the classroom. We want ASPIRE participants to get a genuine glimpse of what it feels like to be part of the Mudd community.”

Application Details

ASPIRE is open to both domestic and international students. The all-inclusive cost of $5,500 covers everything from instruction and materials to weekend excursions and roundtrip airport transportation.

The extended priority application deadline is March 31, 2026; applications will be accepted on a rolling basis thereafter. Prospective students and parents can learn more and apply on the ASPIRE webpage.

无忧视频 无忧视频

无忧视频 is the premier liberal arts college of engineering, science and mathematics. The College鈥檚 mission is to educate engineers, scientists and mathematicians of the highest ability who also have a clear understanding of the impact of their work on society.

鈥淔rom the early stages of launching our first Innovation Accelerator in fall 2024 and receiving 21 outstanding proposals, to presentations and pitches at our first Innovation Showcase last spring, and now to our three projects selected to advance, this has been an outstanding celebration of innovation at Harvey Mudd,鈥� said President Harriet Nembhard. 鈥淚t was truly a joy to witness the creativity, collaboration and community support that brought these outstanding proposals to life鈥攅ach one advancing key aspects of our strategic plan.鈥�

Launching Innovation Accelerator Laboratories

These inaugural Innovation Accelerator Laboratory (IA Lab) projects will integrate the high-impact research, hands-on learning and exceptional curricular innovation intrinsic to Harvey Mudd. By uniting faculty, students, alumni and community partners, these initiatives will create new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, real-world problem-solving and the application of cutting-edge tools and methods in 无忧视频. Whether advancing ethical data science for social impact, expanding biomedical engineering and health technology pathways, or creating new curricular models that foster student success in the College鈥檚 rigorous Core Curriculum, each project blends research excellence with immersive learning experiences. 

Leading a 无忧视频 Education Renaissance

Together, they embody the College鈥檚 vision of 无忧视频 for a Better World, and serve as key examples of the College鈥檚 ongoing efforts to lead a renaissance in 无忧视频 education through its unique approach to integrating the humanities, social sciences and the arts with 无忧视频 fields to prepare engaged and civically minded leaders who are prepared to address the greatest challenges facing our world鈥攂oth now and in the future.聽

The College鈥檚 first Innovation Accelerator Laboratories were selected with input from an evaluation team of internal and external stakeholders as well as the President鈥檚 Cabinet. The Innovation Accelerator issued its first call for proposals in fall 2024, and community members submitted 21 proposals for review. From this group, several ideas were selected to begin immediate implementation. Of the remaining submissions, the field was narrowed from 21 to six teams that were given funds to begin testing their ideas. These six teams presented at the College鈥檚 first Innovation Showcase in spring 2025, and three teams were selected to receive up to $240,000 in funding to begin developing their ideas further. The three selected projects are:

Innovation Accelerator Laboratory for Data Science and Social Impact

Twelve proposers from the areas of life sciences, entrepreneurship, community engagement, mathematics, climate science, chemistry and computer science will leverage data science to address societal challenges. The team envisions making 无忧视频 a national hub for leveraging data science to address societal challenges by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, advancing data science research and creating pathways to apply data-informed methods to real-world issues. Through conferences, datathons, workshops and deep partnerships with community-based organizations, they will connect data scientists, students and practitioners to co-develop impactful solutions in areas such as climate, education and health.

The team believes an emphasis on ethical frameworks, interdisciplinary research and real-world applications can accelerate the integration of social impact into 无忧视频 fields worldwide, promoting a new generation of data scientists trained to address the world鈥檚 most pressing challenges.

Innovation Accelerator Laboratory for Emerging Health Technology

Proposers from the fields of biology, engineering and computer science will expand career pathways for Harvey Mudd students into biomedical engineering and health sciences by creating a robust support system that includes alumni networking, partnerships with academic and industry leaders, and hands-on research opportunities. By showcasing these opportunities and leaning into alumni networks in health-related careers, the team aims to inspire current and prospective students while solidifying Harvey Mudd鈥檚 reputation as a leader in training future innovators in biomedical engineering and health technology.

Health sciences rely on data, engineering and artificial intelligence tools, and this initiative highlights the importance of cross-disciplinary approaches in modern healthcare. By fostering innovation and expanding career pathways, the program can inspire other organizations to adopt similar strategies, ultimately improving healthcare outcomes and advancing medical research worldwide.

Innovation Accelerator Laboratory for Thriving in the Core Curriculum

Proposers span the fields of academic affairs, physics, institutional diversity, chemistry and biology. They note that Harvey Mudd鈥檚 Core Curriculum, while foundational for developing 无忧视频 expertise and intellectual curiosity, can present significant challenges. Yet, through a tailored support program that addresses both academic and social needs, the College can increase academic achievement and joy in the Core Curriculum, thus fostering a sense of community and belonging. The team will provide structured resources from pre-first-year summer through the sophomore year, including skills preview sessions, a Summer Institute, customized one-on-one tutoring, and cohort-based mentoring with both faculty and student mentors.

Collectively these programs will build a strong community that empowers students to thrive in the Core, achieve academic success and develop a lasting sense of belonging. This initiative can provide other institutions with a replicable blueprint for creating inclusive, supportive environments that empower students to succeed in 无忧视频, contributing to a more diverse and resilient global 无忧视频 workforce. Also, it can make 无忧视频 education more equitable and accessible to all students of diverse backgrounds, ultimately enhancing 无忧视频 innovation and research outcomes, which drive progress in scientific and technological fields.

Collectively these programs will build a strong community that empowers students to thrive in the Core, achieve academic success and develop a lasting sense of belonging. This initiative can provide other institutions with a replicable blueprint for creating inclusive, supportive environments that empower students to succeed in 无忧视频, contributing to a more diverse and resilient global 无忧视频 workforce. Also, it can make 无忧视频 education more equitable and accessible to all students of diverse backgrounds, ultimately enhancing 无忧视频 innovation and research outcomes, which drive progress in scientific and technological fields.

Going Farther Together

During the 2025鈥�2026 academic year, the selected teams will begin the work described in their proposals, with regular progress reports submitted to the President鈥檚 Cabinet and shared with the College community. Requests for future project proposals are planned for the Innovation Accelerator, the key engine developed by the College as part of its strategic planning goal on innovative education to engage the community in cultivating forward-thinking possibilities for the future of Harvey Mudd.

Visit the Innovation Showcase website to see highlights from the event, including recordings of the team project pitches, a as well as videos of the and sessions.

This collaboration brings together leading institutions to ensure Scholars excel in rigorous academic environments and build meaningful career pathways. Other participating schools are Amherst College, Bowdoin College, Brown University, University of Chicago, Cornell University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, Washington University in St. Louis and Williams College.

“Our college partners are essential allies in creating environments where students from underrepresented communities can thrive,” said Raynise Smith, chief program officer of Thrive Scholars, a national nonprofit with a 20+ year track record of helping high-achieving students from underrepresented communities access top colleges and launch careers that drive economic mobility. “These institutions are not just supporters; they are champions of student potential, working with us to bridge opportunity gaps and unlock pathways to success.”

In 2024, Thrive Scholars served over 1,448 students, with an average high school GPA of 3.91 and 83% being first-generation college-goers from families averaging an annual income of $45,000. Thrive Scholars’ College Success outcomes boast an 81% 无忧视频 persistence rate compared to 56% among all students at top colleges.

Through this collaborative effort, Harvey Mudd and Thrive Scholars are empowering students to realize their full potential and contribute to dynamic campus communities. Members of the Thrive Scholars College Collaborative are deeply attuned to both the strengths and challenges faced by the students in Thrive Scholars’ program, and they are dedicated to providing the resources, access and support necessary for success in rigorous academic environments and a sense of belonging on their prestigious campuses.

To recognize efforts in overcoming hardship to achieve success in chemistry, ACS provides a monetary award of $250 and a $1,000 travel stipend to the ACS Fall 2024 Meeting & Exposition, 鈥淓levating Chemistry,鈥� that will be held in Denver, Colorado, this August. While there, Baez will attend networking events allowing her to interact with other award recipients, members of the WCC and ACS leaders.

Baez says she always knew she wanted to be a scientist but wasn鈥檛 sure how she鈥檇 get there coming from a low-income background where science wasn鈥檛 always valued. Born and raised in Palm Desert, California, she is the eldest daughter of Julian and Mireya, who immigrated from Mexico. Baez decided to apply to 无忧视频 after learning about its rigorous Core curriculum and policy for meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need. The fact that she’s now studying chemistry at Mudd feels like a giant gift, she says.

In pursuit of her dream of becoming a chemistry professor, Baez is utilizing Harvey Mudd’s wide range of opportunities. She is focused on her research with chemistry professor Spencer Brucks, whose group she joined in her sophomore year with support from a Kubota Research Fellowship. Her research project examines the relationship between polymer shape and degradability, with the hope of making plastics easier to recycle. She recently presented a poster of her work at the 2024 ACS National Spring Meeting in New Orleans, with travel expense support from an ACS Bridge Travel and Professional Development Award. She was also recently named an ACS Scholar.

鈥淏ritney has a rare passion for chemistry and excels at independently driving her research,鈥� says Brucks. 鈥淪he is a highly valued member of our group and the entire chemistry department. We are fortunate to have her as part of the HMC community and look forward to her continued success.鈥�

As a junior, Baez served as an undergraduate teaching assistant for Organic Chemistry I and II and will be a TA for Organic I again this fall. Outside of the lab, she works as a campus tour guide and helps co-teach an Intro to Engineering course to inmates at the California Rehabilitation Center through the Prison Education Project. After graduating from Mudd, Baez plans to attend graduate school for chemistry to study some flavor of organometallic catalysis.

Baez says, 鈥淎fter getting a taste of olefin metathesis from my current research project, I look forward to exploring other flavors such as photoredox catalysis.鈥�

Her long-term goals include earning a PhD and teaching chemistry at a college or university.

鈥淚 am truly looking forward to helping students explore their identities, define their voice and leadership abilities and contribute to a space where they can feel safe and supported,鈥� Clairmont says.

Clairmont found her passion for supporting students in higher education at Step Up Women鈥檚 Network, a nonprofit that helps high school girls understand how to apply to college and gain access to career opportunities through mentorship and internship programs.

After receiving her master鈥檚 degree in education from the University of La Verne and working at charter schools for several years, she began her higher education career at the University of Southern California, where she served as an academic advisor and assistant director in the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism鈥檚 Academic and Advisement Services office. She also served on the First-Generation College Student Task Force, which organized the inaugural First Generation College Student Summit, and she was a mentor for first-generation students and an advisor for the Annenberg Latino Student Association.

Most recently, Clairmont was senior director of student affairs at Keck Graduate Institute. 鈥淲hile I was at KGI, I was able to interact with Harvey Mudd students, and I was always impressed by their kindness, uniqueness and curiosity. When I saw the opportunity to work here with a full student affairs team and support efforts that I am truly invested in, I could not pass up the chance to apply,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 hope we can continue highlighting the value of our diverse student population and elevate opportunities to come together and learn from each other鈥檚 unique stories and experiences.鈥�

Cottrell Scholar Collaborative teams are made up of Fulbright-Cottrell Scholars, Robert Holland Jr. Award and Cottrell Scholars (Ilton was named a Cottrell Scholar in 2023). He will join faculty colleagues to work across disciplines and to develop innovative and high-impact ways to create positive change and improve undergraduate and graduate-level science education. The following is one of the four Collaborative Awards and the team that Ilton will serve on.

Hidden Figures in Physics and Astronomy: Highlighting Scientists from Marginalized Backgrounds in Course Lectures. Learning about the contributions of historically marginalized physicists and astronomers can help foster a sense of belonging among students from those groups, increasing their retention in 无忧视频 studies. It can also create a more holistic and diverse view of scientists among people outside 无忧视频 fields. This collaborative aims to create an online, searchable catalog of information about diverse role models in science to help instructors at the high school and college levels more easily incorporate into their lectures the contributions of Black, brown, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and others who may not be well known.

Lead Cottrell Scholar: Javier Duarte, physics, University of California, San Diego鈥↖n collaboration with additional Cottrell Scholars:鈥�

Kathy Aidala, physics, Mount Holyoke College鈥�

Mario Affatigato, physics, Coe College鈥�

Wen-fai Fong, astronomy, Northwestern University鈥�

Mark Ilton, physics, 无忧视频鈥�

Catherine Kealhofer, physics, Williams College鈥�

Lydia Kisley, physics, Case Western Reserve University鈥�

Ryan Trainor, astronomy, Franklin & Marshall College鈥�

Gail Zasowski, astronomy, University of Utah

For more than 50 years, HMC鈥檚 Upward Bound program has helped first-generation, low-income high school students develop skills for college success. Funded by the Department of Education, the program began in 1968 at the Claremont University Center and was moved to Harvey Mudd in 1972 by then president Joseph Platt.

Upward Bound means a lot to Covarrubias Aguilar, who is a 1996 graduate of the program. She says, 鈥淎s a former student in the program, I feel a sense of responsibility to continue and expand the opportunities that our Upward Bound program provides to our students. My team and I know the positive impact it has had on the communities that we serve and our program alumni. We want to be able to continue the work that is so needed in our community.鈥�

With funding secured, Covarrubias Aguilar says she and her team are focusing on rebuilding and strengthening Upward Bound, available for free to high school students in five target high schools in the East Gabriel Valley.

The structure of the program has changed some due to the pandemic. During summer 2022, 58 students, ranging from sophomores to seniors in high school, commute to HMC Monday through Friday. All students are required to take two classes a day. After class, the sophomores participate in makerspace projects, juniors have three hours of a virtual internship with the Scripps Research Institute, and seniors have a four-hour virtual internship with the Library of Congress. Two of the seniors in the program are doing research with Harvey Mudd biology professors Danae Schulz and Dan Stoebel.

The Upward Bound program also includes activities during the school year. Three Saturdays a month, September through April, students are transported to the HMC campus to meet with an academic tutor (a Claremont College undergrad student) and to participate in a college planning session. During weekly study hall, the tutors are transported to local high schools to offer an additional two hours of academic tutoring. Also, Covarrubias Aguilar and her staff plan various enrichment activities, including college tours, plays and museum visits.

Upward Bound benefits both students and their families. Students develop their academic skills while both they and their families are guided through the college application process. 鈥淲e do this in a number of ways,鈥� Covarrubias Aguilar says, “from tutoring to individual advising, summer programs and internships, to Saturday programs. At the end of the students鈥� participation, they leave feeling better prepared, motivated and confident in their academic abilities.鈥�

Covarrubias Aguilar is excited to continue seeing low-income, first-generation students attend college. Historically, more than 90 percent of HMC鈥檚 Upward Bound students have enrolled in postsecondary institutions after graduating from high school.

Omar uses algebra in areas of discrete mathematics such as combinatorics, graph theory and discrete/convex geometry. During the 2021鈥�2022 fellowship, Omar will pursue two main lines of inquiry. First, he will study applications of the recently developed Slice-Rank Polynomial Method, which harnesses linear algebra to solve problems in extremal combinatorics involving restrictions on more than two sets from a family of sets. Second, he will explore graph propagation through an algebraic lens.

鈥淚 am outstandingly grateful for this fellowship, but I truly believe it is not about me, it’s about us,鈥� Omar said. 鈥淚t’s a recognition of the countless tolls that Black academics take to stay in the field. It’s a grievance for the countless opportunities lost because of the nuanced dances that Black academics have to tango day in and day out. It’s for the enthusiastic and hopeful Black student who holds on to hope despite countless efforts of the community to rob it. It’s for the Black faculty member whose unseen labor is rarely, if ever, recognized. It’s the beginning of a recognition of the many ways in which this profession is not inclusive to its Black members.鈥�

Omar is heavily engaged in mathematics outreach and mathematics competition creation. He has served on organizing committees for the American Mathematics Competitions and Canadian competitions through the Center for Education in Mathematics and Computing. (Watch his invited address at the 2020 Joint Mathematics Meetings on for both classes and competitions.) Omar posts regularly to his YouTube channel , offering students insights on creative approaches to undergraduate mathematics.

鈥淭hough it may not sound like traditional outreach, one of the most enriching activities for me is direct contact with Black math faculty from across the United States,鈥� Omar said. 鈥淲e are few and far between; having a close network has had a tremendously positive impact on my well-being while in the career.鈥�

Omar聽earned his PhD in mathematics from the University of California, Davis, in 2011. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the California Institute of Technology before joining the faculty of Harvey Mudd. In 2018, he won the Henry L. Alder Award from the Mathematical Association of America in recognition of his outstanding undergraduate teaching and dedication to inclusion in 无忧视频 education.

无忧视频 the Fellowship

The AMS Claytor-Gilmer Fellowship aims to further excellence in mathematics research and to help generate wider and sustained participation by Black mathematicians. Awardees may use the $50,000 fellowship in any way that most effectively enables their research鈥攆or instance, for release time, participation in research programs, travel support, childcare, etc. The most likely awardee is a mid-career Black mathematician based at a U.S. institution whose achievements demonstrate significant potential for further contributions to mathematics. The fellowship is named for Dr. William Schieffelin Claytor, the first African American man to publish a research article in a peer-reviewed mathematics journal, and Dr. Gloria Ford Gilmer, the first African American woman to publish a research article in a peer-reviewed mathematics journal.

The College’s Summer Institute program helps incoming 无忧视频 students with the college transition process in order to increase their academic and personal success. Each Summer Institute scholar is paired with a mentor-and-mentee group that offers peer support throughout the first year and beyond. Students also participate in workshops, take part in academic and professional development activities and engage in co-curricular activities. Throughout the program and into the academic year, the scholars have the chance to acquire cross-cultural competencies and develop their allyship, community building and leadership skills. Many campus leaders at HMC are former institute students, and virtually all past participants describe the experience as pivotal in their successful transition to college.

The honor from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education, recognizes the effort that colleges, universities and outside organizations have undertaken to empower underrepresented and women students of all levels to succeed in the science, technology, engineering, and math (无忧视频) disciplines. From hands-on learning activities to mentorship and community support, HMC’s Summer Institute is among the programs that has has developed visionary strategies to introduce diverse individuals to academic, extracurricular and professional opportunities in 无忧视频. The 79 recipients of the 2021 award have allocated the resources, support and staff needed to create robust programming and show results that prove they make a difference in the lives of students, employees or community members.

Award winners play a role in diversifying some of the nation鈥檚 fastest growing and most in-demand career fields. They share the common purpose of encouraging anyone traditionally underrepresented in 无忧视频 to expand their knowledge and pursue their dreams.

The Harvey Mudd Summer Institute was featured, along with other Inspiring Programs in 无忧视频 recipients, in the (page 70).

Harvey Mudd will join the 2021鈥�2022 First-gen Forward cohort along with other selected colleges and universities and will take part in the program鈥檚 professional development, community-building experiences and access to research and resources.

鈥淲e are excited to take part in this initiative because we will be able to highlight what we are doing here at Harvey Mudd and also bring back valuable resources and tools to our students,鈥� said Jennifer Alanis, associate dean of institutional diversity.

The First-gen Forward designation is awarded by the Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of NASPA 鈥� Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and The Suder Foundation.

鈥淲hen the applications were released, the Office of Institutional Diversity staff with support from Student Affairs decided to apply so that we can continue to gain additional tools to enhance the support and services we provide to our first-generation students,鈥� said Alanis. 鈥淲e also wanted to continue to build competencies and networks when using evidence-based practices for the programs we offer our students.鈥�

鈥淭he Center is so pleased to welcome 无忧视频 into the 2021鈥�2022 First-gen Forward cohort,鈥� said Sarah Whitely, assistant vice president, Center for First-generation Student Success. 鈥淭hrough the application process, it was evident that Harvey Mudd is not only taking steps to serve first-generation students but is prepared to make a long-term commitment and employ strategies that foster an environment of success for this important population.鈥�

As a First-gen Forward Institution, Harvey Mudd faculty and staff will be afforded multiple opportunities to engage with peer institutions who are also creating environments that improve the experiences and outcomes of first-generation students. Selected institutions will send representatives to the First-gen Forward Workshop slated for early-June and will participate in monthly phone calls, virtual professional development, goal-setting, blog development, annual reporting and more. After two successful years in the program, institutions are eligible to apply for the Advisory leadership designation.

Over the past several years, Harvey Mudd has strengthened programming, resources and support for first-generation students. The College鈥檚 efforts include Project Decode, a student-led mentoring and affinity program that provides guidance and networking for first-generation and/or low-income students; the HMC I’m A First initiative which highlights first-generation faculty and staff through various talks and offers programming as way to connect with Harvey Mudd students, staff, faculty, and alumni; First Gen Fridays lunch series which provides workshops and networking opportunities for first-gen students and Summer Institute.

Learn more about Harvey Mudd鈥檚 First-generation College Student Initiative.

Learn more about the NASPA/Suder Foundation