Pre-Alliance Planning for the Coalition for Promotion of Underrepresented Minorities in Academic STEM (PUMA-STEM)

Concordia University Chicago, River Forest IL

Investigators

Abstract

The Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program assists universities and colleges in diversifying the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce through their efforts at significantly increasing the numbers of students from historically underrepresented minority populations to successfully complete high quality degree programs in STEM. Concordia University will engage in a 18-month planning process aimed at creating an alliance of institutions, including K-12 schools, in Illinois to achieve the goals of the LSAMP program. The planning process includes development of an infrastructure based on best practices and research in a coordinated, effective and efficient process to reduce barriers for underrepresented minorities in STEM-related fields. The expected outcome of the planning process will be strong established and coordinated partnerships from high school to university to employment in STEM. The model, with its multi-tiered approach including implementation of best practice pedagogy, social and/or financial supports, will result in increased enrollment and graduation from STEM majors as well as a diversification of the STEM workforce. The partnership structure also provides for future expansion of the high school-college-industry network to improve outreach and strengthen the overall academic foundation for underrepresented minorities in STEM programs.