The primary aim of the proposed Cohort VIII Texas A&M University System Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (TAMUS LSAMP) Bridge to the Doctorate (BTD) program is to increase the pool of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) PhDs among underrepresented minorities groups at TAMU and create a cohesive community of graduate students across different disciplines within the university. The overall goal is to foster academic success in a cohort of first-time URM STEM graduate students, by developing their readiness and encouraging eagerness to complete STEM doctoral degrees and by preparing them to take their places as leaders in interdisciplinary research and in academia. As such, objectives to carry out the program's goals include (1) retention of fellows into doctoral programs with funding after completion of the NSF BTD program, (2) preparation to meet the challenges of completing doctoral programs of study and for possible academic careers in higher education, and (3) leadership skill development necessary to succeed as young URM professionals upon completion of doctoral programs of study.
This will be achieved through collaborations among the College of Science (COS), College of Engineering (COE) and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (COALS) at Texas A&M University (TAMU). Twelve first-time graduate students from underrepresented minority (URM) groups, in five departments in the COS, 12 in COE, and 14 in COALS, will be selected as BTD fellows. The Fellows will be nurtured for two years as a cohorted community benefiting from a program of academic and personal development activities and social support, to sustain their commitment and success to their degree programs and advancement toward doctoral programs by the end of their second year. The BTD fellows, with differing disciplines and a common purpose, will share coordinated resources and intellectually enriching group activities.
Beyond the intellectual impact of BTD, the program will enhance the infrastructure of research and education by advancing pursuit of graduate and doctoral STEM degrees.
The Bridge to the Doctorate (BTD) fellowship program is an extension of the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) Louise Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP), aimed at increasing the quality and quantity of underrepresented minorities (URM) students successfully completing STEM graduate degrees. The strategic plan for the BTD VIII award was achieved through the direct support of the National Science Foundation (NSF) for student stipends and tuition and fees and through a focused set of activities. In the first year, Fellows attended nine seminars focused on graduate school basics, developing the skills needed to succeed in their courses, and learning from participation in research activities. In the second year, Fellows attended nine seminars focused on leadership development, establishing collegial networks, and funding the remainder of their academic career. Both years, Fellows attended TAMUS LSAMP’s annual symposium, and one year, Fellows attended the NSF LSAMP Meeting held in conjunction with the Minority Access National Role Models Conference in Washington, D.C. TAMUS LSAMP graduate students have emerged with advanced knowledge about how to utilize assessment and evaluation to continuously monitor and improve their performance as trainers, change agents or faculty, and how to improve learning for their trainees, employees, team colleagues or students. Fellows have been published in peer reviewed journals and have presented at world renowned conferences, which has increased the recognition of TAMU as an institution that produces graduate students that are making a contribution to STEM fields. Below are some of the outcomes of the BTD VIII program. The 2012-2013 academic year overall average grade point average (GPA) was 3.36. The 2013-2014 academic year overall average grade point average (GPA) was 3.54. Fellows won fourteen (14) awards, including two (2) NSF Graduate Research Fellowships. Fellows published six (6) scientific journal articles. Fellows participated in twenty-six (26) presentations at numerous conferences. Fellows participated in two (2) internship opportunities. One (1) Fellow participated in a study abroad research opportunity.
