The Illinois Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (ILSAMP) traces its origin to the collaboration of several institutions in the Chicago area in 1993. The ILSAMP is a diverse group of public and private institutions in urban, suburban and rural settings: Chicago State University (CSU), lead institution, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU), DePaul University (DU), Illinois State University (ISU), Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE), Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC), Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), and Governors State University (GSU). Nine community colleges and Argonne National Laboratory, (ANL) complete the Alliance. These institutions are bound together with a vision of establishing a statewide coalition dedicated to increasing the number of underrepresented minority students in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and science education (STEM).
During Phase I and II the Alliance focused on establishing a management structure and programs to implement a comprehensive plan to increase the number of underrepresented minority students successfully completing baccalaureate degrees in STEM by improving the quality of undergraduate education. Significant progress was made in the number of B.S. degrees awarded to underrepresented students by ILSAMP institutions in STEM disciplines. From 1993 through 2002 the number of STEM degrees conferred upon minority students increased by 85% (228 to 423).
The success of Phase III will be measured by the extent to which ILSAMP can: 1) completely institutionalize the activities that proved successful during Phase I and Phase II; 2) further increase the number of underrepresented minority students who graduate from programs in STEM disciplines; and, 3) intensify student progression to graduate school through preparation and the development of pathways to the Ph.D. for STEM baccalaureate recipients.
In order to accomplish Phase III objectives, the Alliance will utilize strategies to strengthen 1) community college bridge programs to ease the transition for transfer students and the preparation of first time freshman; 2) faculty and peer mentoring to help retain students in STEM disciplines; 3) supplemental instruction (study groups, tutorials, workshops, study skills training) to bolster students. academic preparation; 4) academic year and summer undergraduate research and external internships to develop students for graduate school; and 5) opportunities to develop students. writing and oral presentations skills. Information concerning the program will be disseminated via publications, presentations and web pages.
