This study investigated a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at a Midwest research university that had two community college student participants in the summer of 2012. In the 10-week summer program, under the supervision of a faculty member, the community college students were paired with a graduate student and an experienced undergraduate researcher to work on a biomedical engineering research project. The research question of this study was, "What do community college students' gain from an undergraduate research experience?" As this was the first year community college students participated in the REU, a case study approach was used to gain an in-depth, meaningful understanding of students' experiences. Data was analyzed from pre- and post-surveys and an exit interview to construct the case study. A constant comparative method was used to develop conceptual themes that addressed the research question. The community college students experienced self, perspective, support, knowledge, and relationship gains. This study concluded that the main reason for the gains were the multilevel support systems that was in place for them in the laboratories and received by their families throughout the duration of the program. Study implications are that more research universities should target community college students to apply to their REU. However, future studies are critical to develop more effective research programs for community college students to pursue their science and engineering academic and careers goals.
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