A Bio-Link program is an educational program that is committed to the following Bio-Link goals:

1. Increase the number and diversity of well-educated technicians in the biotechnology and bioscience work force.
2. Partner with industry and academia to ensure that technicians have the appropriate education for the bioscience workforce.
3. Encourage sustainable community college educational practices that provide high quality education and training in the concepts, tools, skills, processes, regulatory structure, and ethics of biotechnology. 
4. Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing program evaluation and alignment with the needs of students and industry.

• What are the characteristics of Bio-Link programs?

• What criteria must a Bio-Link program meet?

• What are the benefits of becoming a Bio-Link program?

• How does a program become a Bio-Link program?

Characteristics of Bio-Link programs  

Bio-Link programs:

• Are based at two-year colleges or four year colleges that offer a 1-2 year degree or certificate in biotechnology or bioscience related areas.

• Include many hours of hands-on laboratory experience 

• Are committed to preparing students to enter the biotechnology or life-science workforce.

• Have an advisory board that includes members of local industry and academia and meets at least once a year.

• Have established outcomes for student learning.

• Often include an internship experience for students.

• Provide on-going professional development for program faculty.

To be considered a Bio-Link program, a program must:

Participate in the Bio-Link community

Bio-Link programs are expected to participate in the community by:

• Communicating with others through one or more of the following methods:
  • the Bio-Link list-serve,
  • the Bio-Link Facebook group,
  • the Bio-Link LinkedIn group,
  • or follow @bio_link on Twitter 

• Participating in the Bio-Link survey 

• Responding to requests for information

• Crediting Bio-Link for support where possible

Contribute to the Bio-Link community:

Bio-Link programs are expected to contribute to the community through one or more of the following mechanisms: 

• Contribute to Curriculum clearinghouse 

• Contribute career scenarios to the Bio-Link web site

• Update and add information to your program section on the Bio-Link web site

• Host and / or participate in a Bio-Link regional workshop

• Participate in or send representatives to the annual Bio-Link summer fellows forum

• Write a blog post for the Bio-Link web site

• Your choice – we know you're a creative group!

What are benefits of being part of the Bio-Link community?

By joining the Bio-Link community and participating as a Bio-Link program, you will have:

• A way to share what you know and learn from others

• National recognition for your program 

• An area on the Bio-Link site for your program with a map that links to nearby employers

• Assistance and instruction in editing and updating your program area 

• The ability to post events on the Bio-Link site 

• Help with building awareness for your program among local employers 

• Priority access for conference registrations 

• Eligibility for mini-grants to support program activities 

• Assistance in finding help for running your program 

• The ability to advertise for faculty positions on the Bio-Link web site 

• A blog where you can write about your program

Become a Bio-Link program

Your program can join the Bio-Link community by completing the Bio-Link Program information form. Once we have your information, we will set up a page for your program and help you get started.