2008 PR-LSAMP Bridge to the Doctorate Initiative: Diversifying the STEM Workforce by Providing Fellowships to the LSAMP Graduates to Continue and Complete a PhD Degree

University Of Puerto Rico, San Juan PR

Investigators

Abstract

The University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (PR-LSAMP) Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) Program is a collaborative effort between the National Science Foundation, higher education and other partners to increase the quality and quantity of underrepresented minorities matriculating to completion of the doctoral degree in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields (STEM) fields, particularly nanoscience and nanotechnology fields. The program at the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras prepares students to meet the challenges of completing doctoral programs of study and for academic careers in higher education. In addition, the program develops leadership skills necessary for success in the STEM workforce nationally and internationally. Integrating research and education, the BD fellows will be nurtured over two years as a cohorted community that will benefit from a program of academic and personal development activities as well as social support to sustain their commitment and success to the terminal Ph.D. STEM degree. Program activities include linkages to the Puerto Rico Alliances for Graduate Education in the Professoriate(Alabama AGEP), the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research through the Institute for Functional Nanomaterials (IFN) as well as other NSF-funded research and education projects, including programs that provide mentoring opportunities for undergraduate students. A total of 12 students from underrepresented minority populations in STEM fields will participate in the program at UPR during the 2009-2010 academic years. Results from this support will broaden the participation of African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Pacific-Islanders in the STEM pipeline, U. S. workforce and abroad. Results from rigorous evaluation of the project will add to the body of literature in the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority students in STEM fields.