Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Plus Program Honored With National STEM Award

Seton Hall University’s Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Plus Program (PMPDPP) has been named a recipient of the 2025 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award by Insight Into Academia magazine. The award recognizes outstanding college and university programs that are making a significant impact in broadening participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), particularly among underrepresented groups.

Seton Hall is one of just 58 institutions nationwide to receive the award. The PMPDPP program will be featured in the June 2025 issue of Insight Into Academia, the nation’s oldest and largest publication dedicated to diversity and inclusion in higher education.

Housed within the Division of Student Services and supported by the New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF), the PMPDPP has been a cornerstone of Seton Hall’s commitment to inclusive academic excellence for over 50 years. The program supports historically underserved students — those affected by economic hardship and limited access to educational opportunity — by preparing them for careers in medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, optometry, veterinary medicine and related fields.

“We thank Insight Into Academia for recognizing Seton Hall’s Pre-Med/Pre-Dental Plus Program with the 2025 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award,” said Monica N. Burnette, Ph.D., vice president of the Division of Student Services. “The recognition is a testament to the team’s unwavering efforts to significantly advance the core values of inclusive excellence and belonging through programs, initiatives and campus priorities that focus on holistic student success and fostering a welcoming and supportive community for our students.” 

The program combines rigorous academic preparation with individualized mentorship and robust community support. From an intensive six-week summer enrichment experience to year-round academic advising, career development and peer mentorship, PMPDPP provides a holistic foundation for success.

“This award is an outstanding testament to the magnitude of hard work and resilience exemplified by our students that often goes unrecognized but is witnessed by our program administrators every day,” said Jason Oliveira, assistant dean and director of EOF Programs. “As historically underserved students, they continuously challenge notions and break the ‘glass ceiling’ by becoming physicians, dentists, opticians, veterinarians, physician assistants, physical therapists and other healthcare practitioners.”

PMPDPP senior Keyleen Argueta, who will be attending the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell in August, said, “Through PMPDPP, I have gained leadership skills, professional development opportunities and connections that have opened doors I never imagined possible. More than just a program, it has been a foundation for my growth and success, and I am beyond grateful for the impact.”

PMPDPP students are immersed in a rich academic and professional pipeline that includes innovative programming, such as a shadowing opportunity for students in Portugal this past May, plus visits to health professional schools, monthly workshops, and support for internships and early assurance programs. The program also maintains an active alumni network to mentor and guide current students.

“The Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Plus Program has played a vital role in shaping my college experience,” said senior Sofia Saquicela. “It’s been a place where I've found a supportive community, made lasting friendships, and received guidance that has helped me stay on track toward my career goals.”

Recent outcomes further reflect the program’s effectiveness. During the 2023–2024 academic year, 100 percent of seniors received academic awards from the State of New Jersey, and all students maintained full persistence. PMPDPP students saw a 90 percent acceptance rate to graduate health programs — including a 100 percent medical school acceptance rate among May 2024 applicants. Overall, 68 percent of students earned GPAs of 3.5 or higher, with 19 percent achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA for the semester. Additionally, 100 percent of PMPDPP seniors will be recognized at the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Statewide Graduate Achievement Awards this spring.

Majid Whitney, associate vice president and dean of Campus Inclusion and Community, noted the long-term impact and mission-driven nature of the program. “The PMPDPP has never aimed to win awards or receive recognition,” he said. “Rather, the program has always been hyper-focused on transforming the lives of its students so that they have an opportunity to change the world as servant leaders in medicine, research and allied health.”

According to Insight Into Academia publisher Lenore Pearlstein, the STEM award is intended to spotlight the powerful work being done to expand equity in fields that historically lack diversity. “We know that STEM programs are not always recognized for their dedication to inclusion, equity and access,” said Pearlstein. “We are proud to honor these college, university, and industry STEM programs as role models for other institutions of higher education.”

Whitney added, “To know that PMPDPP has flourished for more than 40 years and is still gaining momentum serves as confirmation that programs like these are as needed now as ever, and that our students will be key architects in building a healthier society in the world of tomorrow.”

Categories: Education, Science and Technology