Northeast LSAMP Phase II Proposal

University Of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst MA

Investigators

Abstract

Underrepresented minority (URM) students generally attend less selective STEM institutions, have disproportionately low io2 nd year continuation rateslu in STEM majors, and across all institutions regardless of selectivity or LSAMP participation achieve 6-year graduations of <35% compared to >60% for non-minorities. In Phase I of the NE- LSAMP we have increased the enrollment, retention and graduation URM STEM students beyond that possible through the initiative of any single institution. As isselectivele institutions, our Phase II work combines proven interventions (mentoring, undergraduate research opportunities, etc) and interventions with high potential for success (Supplemental Instruction in inbarrier courseslr, individual tracking) both to normalize rates of URM persistence and graduation in STEM and to increase professional/graduate education placements of NE-LSAMP students. Using our common commitment to LSAMP as a lynchpin, we have established working relationships for project planning, information sharing, database management, and budgetary operations during Phase I . We document our substantial progress toward achieving the stated Phase I enrollment and degree completion objectives. URM STEM majors increased by 12% in Year 3 and STEM bachelors degrees awarded to URM students increased by 50% that year. We are on a trajectory to significantly increase each measure by the final year of Phase I funding. To our ongoing Phase I objectives we now add specific Phase II objectives: to form an Alliance-wide community of LSAMP students through annual meetings and inter-campus activities; to provide irnear peerlr graduate student mentors for LSAMP students from NE-AGEP partners; to track individual LSAMP student persistence and graduation and identify individual graduate STEM enrollment or professional STEM placement. Alliance partners will track students in a database consistent with NSF reporting requirements including all data elements that are submitted to QRC (the LSAMP national reporting database). Along with students demographic and ethnic data, the database will include sections for research accomplishments and post-baccalaureate career path whether academic or professional employment. The NE-LSAMP will continue its successful Phase I activities. Additionally, in Phase II we will: Implement an Alliance-wide UROP program as an outcome of our iubest practicesli analysis at Advisory Board meetings. Faculty involvement with LSAMP students is a required component of the undergraduate research opportunities now present at each alliance campus and inter-campus interactions for UROP students will be added. Partner with the NE-AGEP as a resource for graduate student itnear peerlr role model mentors for our LSAMP students. Convene a iostudent leadershipls conference for all URM STEM students each spring to assist LSAMP students in career exploration and provide information about applying to and financing graduate education.