This fall, the University and five other state institutions will begin major efforts to encourage minority students to obtain scientific, technological, engineering and mathematical degrees.
Funding this goal is a $4.9 million grant given to six Georgia universities in May by the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP), a program of the National Science Foundation (NSF).
“The NSF has what is known as ‘assistance in areas of national need’ and right now the national need is to produce more minority scholars,” said Keith Parker, associate provost for the University’s Office of Institutional Diversity.
Though its first aim is to fulfill the congressional mandate of recruiting and graduating minorities, Parker said the program is open to all students without discrimination. The United States must compete with the international community when it comes to cultivating graduates in the specific fields.
LSAMP hopes to see students who attain bachelor’s degrees proceed to graduate school so they may become valuable members of the academic community.
“Those beginning their participation in the fall will work with top-notch professors and be expected to engage in research for presentation next summer,” he said. “In order to be successful in the program, students must make a commitment.”
Administrators have yet to determine how the grant money will be spent, but universities nationwide have used their LSAMP funding to assist students with their textbook expenses and provide travel for them to professional meetings.
Parker said the University will also attempt to increase high schoolers’ interest in the designated fields by sponsoring math and science fairs and working with Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs throughout Georgia.
Management of the statewide alliance will be made up of a governing board — chaired by University President Michael Adams — and an inter-institutional steering committee.
Campus teams of college deans and other academic leaders will be in charge of implementing LSAMP programs and selecting students.
“I would like to see over the next five years the alliance confer at least 2,000 degrees to minority students in scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematical disciplines,” Parker said.