Office of Strategic Initiatives, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
In the United States, less than half of the students who enter into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) undergraduate curricula as freshmen will graduate with a STEM degree. For under-represented groups, that number is considerably less. An increased need for innovative initiatives that promote undergraduate retention and achievement within STEM exists. The Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (LA-STEM) Research Scholars Program at Louisiana State University has developed a premier model for increasing persistence and achievement within the STEM disciplines. For more than a decade, LA-STEM has holistically provided quality mentoring, effective learning strategies, unique undergraduate research opportunities, leadership and professional development, and intensive graduate school preparation to a diverse population of STEM undergraduates. Program success has included an 89% overall graduation rate in STEM, considerable national award/fellowship recognition, high matriculation of students into post-graduate programs, as well as notable reduction in the achievement gap between underrepresented and female participants in comparison to majority males. At the graduate level, the Department of Chemistry at Louisiana State University has developed a model program for retaining under-represented students at the doctoral level. The undergraduate and graduate programs will be discussed in this talk.