Summer Training Partnership Delivers Measurable Impact After First Year
By ...
NORFOLK, Va. – After a landmark first year, Norfolk State University (NSU) and the University of Michigan’s Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) Summer Program are already seeing the ripple effects of their new partnership. By hosting hands-on statistics and data analysis workshops on the NSU campus, the initiative has opened doors for dozens of students eager to deepen their quantitative research skills. This summer’s debut drew 392 applicants and culminated in a cohort of 74 participants—generating a buzz in classrooms and across students’ social media feeds as they reflected on the impact of the experience.
Expanding Access Through Tailored Training
This innovative partnership is designed to meet NSU students where they are—both academically and geographically—by offering a mix of online modules and in-person workshops. ICPSR and NSU faculty jointly conduct sessions, ensuring that instruction is both rigorous and relevant. “Central to this partnership are tailored, in-person workshops that overcome exclusionary barriers and meet NSU students where they are in their academic journey and at their home institution,” said Business Development Director Sandy Zalmout. “This partnership connects NSU students to one of the most respected quantitative training programs in the country while keeping them rooted in their home institution,” explained Dr. Tyson King-Meadows, Dean of the NSU College of Liberal Arts.
The partnership encompasses more than a training opportunity. NSU’s Consortium membership renewal allows students and faculty access to vast survey datasets and resources, supporting NSU’s pursuit of R2 research status and strengthening its capacity to compete for major grants.
Measurable Outcomes: First-Year Metrics and Student Reflections
The 2025 cohort included 98 accepted applicants and 74 participants (58 undergraduates, 16 graduate students, and 2 faculty members) taught by a diverse team of 4 instructors and 4 TAs across 4 intensive courses. The program was funded by NSU, yielding critical benefits for both students and the institution. Beyond numbers, the program’s impact is reflected in student voices:
Mya B. (Undergraduate)
“I’m grateful to have completed the 3-week ICPSR Summer Program in partnership with Norfolk State University and the University of Michigan. The program combined two weeks of online instruction with one week on campus, where I deepened my skills in statistics, research methods, and quantitative analysis… This experience not only strengthened my technical skills but also expanded my confidence in applying research methods to real-world questions.”
Mia R. (Undergraduate):
“My time at the ICPSR at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research Summer Q.U.E.S.T. Program reminded me how powerful it is to learn in community… knowledge is a gift, but impact comes from how we share it.”
India E. (Undergraduate):
“This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern with Undergraduate Research Mentorship Program (URM) and ICPSR—two amazing programs that helped me grow so much both personally and professionally… These experiences were everything I needed (and more!) to keep chasing my goals with confidence & purpose.”
ICPSR Summer Program Business Development Director Sandy Zalmout also reflected, saying, “The experience was as transformational for me as it was for them. Being in the presence of students that are hungry to learn, determined and dedicated to the process, and so appreciative of their journey cemented … what we offer has an infinite ripple effect on communities.”
Looking Ahead to Summer 2026
The ICPSR Summer Program’s General Sessions in 2026 are June 8-July 2, 2026, and July 6-July 31, 2026. Topical Workshops will run from May through August 2026.