New Mexico State University Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (NM-LSAMP) Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) Program is a collaborative effort between the National Science Foundation and New Mexico higher education institutions to increase the quality and quantity of underrepresented minorities matriculating to completion of the doctoral degree in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields (STEM) fields. The 2010-2012 program, the second at the University of New Mexico, prepares students to meet the challenges of completing master's and doctoral programs of study preferably for academic careers in higher education. In addition, the program develops leadership skills necessary for success in the STEM workforce nationally and internationally.
Integrating research and education, the BD fellows will be nurtured over two years as a cohorted community that will benefit from a program of academic and personal development activities as well as social support to sustain their commitment and success to the terminal Ph.D. STEM degree. Program activities include linkages to the University of New Mexico Integrated Graduate Education in Research and Training (IGERT) as well as other NSF-funded research and education projects, including programs that provide mentoring opportunities for undergraduate students.
A total of 12 students from underrepresented minority populations in STEM fields will participate in the program at the University of New Mexico during the 2010-2012 academic years. Results from this support will broaden the participation of Hispanics and Native Americans in the STEM pipeline, U. S. workforce and abroad. Results from rigorous evaluation of the project will add to the body of literature in successful recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority students in STEM fields.
Project Summary The goals of the New Mexico AMP UNM Bridge to the Doctorate VIII Project are to produce twelve (12) highly qualified Ph.D. candidates at the end of the two-year project period and to track these students’ academic progress and professional development through the Ph.D. and into the professoriate and/or the professional STEM workforce. Project components include: Financial support Faculty-mentored research Professional development and teaching-centered workshops Involvement with the UNM Graduate School A specially designed graduate seminar for AMP BD Fellows focusing on thriving in graduate school and preparing for the Ph.D. that fosters success in graduate school and directs students to the Ph.D. Support for traveling to professional conference for students to present their research Editorial assistance with proposals and Ph.D. program applications Opportunities to network with faculty and research programs Identification of additional fellowships and grant opportunities Opportunities to participate in science outreach activities such as working with K-12, and science fair judging. Intellectual Merit The Bridge to the Doctorate VIII Project has served to advance knowledge and broaden understanding within the STEM fields by attracting and supporting underrepresented students to increase their participation and representation within the fields. Additionally, the unique multi-faceted approach to faculty mentoring has created unique opportunities for these students, facilitated by the creation of a collaborative network of graduate students, faculty, advisors, and complementary student support programs. This network has provided multi-levels of research activities, mentoring, information sharing, and intensive and focused grooming of students to prepare them for doctoral studies and to encourage them to consider academic careers as researchers and scholars. The project has improved understanding of student challenges, networking of faculty and administrators, and has provided more accessible pathways for students to attend and succeed in graduate studies at New Mexico’s doctoral degree granting institutions. Broader Impact The Bridge to the Doctorate VIII Project has advanced discovery and understanding while promoting teaching, training, and learning by broadening the participation of underrepresented groups and enhancing the synergy between research and education. These efforts have involved institutional collaborations involving the UNM Graduate School and the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and School of Engineering to identify, recruit, support, and successfully graduate an increasingly influential cohort of traditionally underrepresented minority scholars within the professoriate and technical-scientific workforce. Increased focus on mentor training has supported sustained impact on future generations of STEM graduate students. Results Of the 14 students in the BD-8 cohort, 8 are currently enrolled in and on track to receive the PhD (57%), 2 completed the M.S. and are now disenrolled (14%), 3 are currently enrolled in and completing the M.S. (21%). One student dropped out before completing the M.S. (7%).
