Maryland System Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation 2010-2012 Bridge to the Doctorate - BD Site: University of Maryland-College Park

University Of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore MD

Investigators

Abstract

The University System of Maryland (USM) Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) seeks funding to add a fifth cohort of Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) Fellows to its current retention initiatives. The first cohort of BD Fellows matriculated at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) in the fall of 2005. In fall 2006, the second cohort of fellows enrolled at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP). The third cohort enrolled at UMCP in the fall of 2008 and the fourth cohort enrolled at UMBC in the fall of 2009. Since the first BD cohort matriculated at UMBC in 2005, there have been 48 BD Fellows enrolled in STEM graduate programs at UMBC and UMCP. Eleven students have completed MS degrees and 37 students are still enrolled. �� INTELLECTUAL MERIT The proposed activity will provide a cohort of 12 students who have participated in LSAMP Programs, as undergraduates, the opportunity to receive substantial funding and other critical support to successfully pursue graduate degrees in diverse STEM fields at one of the nation?s top research universities. The participants also will have opportunities, early in their academic careers, to conduct cutting-edge research with top research scientists on the UMCP campus and at national laboratories located in close proximity to the campus. The following will be required of BD fellows: ? To participate in community meetings and individual advising meetings; ? To apply for the NSF Graduate Student Research Fellowship during the first year; ? To serve as role models to current undergraduate LSAMP students in the process of applying for graduate school; ? To present research at national or local conferences; ? To participate in the University System of Maryland?s Graduate Research Symposium; ? To attend and present posters at the NSF Joint Annual Meeting (JAM); ? To present research and serve as mentors at the joint LSAMP/LSAMP-BD Research Symposium; ? To participate in various seminars on campus in order to promote professional development and growth; ? To participate in joint USM BD cohort events such as Summer Success Institute and the Harvest Dinner. �� BROADER IMPACTS Many LSAMP students are members of groups that traditionally have been underrepresented in STEM fields. The proposed activity will increase the number of such students in the pipeline to earn doctoral degrees in these fields. In addition, activities are planned that would provide the participants with information about a variety of STEM career options, and help to motivate some of them to prepare for careers in the professoriate.