The goals of the RISE to the Challenge Bridge between EPCC, UTEP and NMSU are 1) to continue providing talented EPCC students with the tools to succeed and excel in their freshman and sophomore-level biology, chemistry and math courses, 2) to continue strengthening the research knowledge and skills of EPCC students and faculty and 3) to increase the number of minority and disadvantaged students that transfer to a four-year institution with the skills necessary to graduate with a baccalaureate degree and eventually a Ph.D. in biomedical fields.