9354125 SubbaRao Lincoln University will develop strategies to increase the number of minority students who enter science, engineering and mathematics (SEM) fields. The proposed approach will develop strategies to assist minority students at critical stages in their academic life. For example, a variety of intervention activities at the pre-college, community college, 4-year college and graduate school levels would be utilized to prepare, motivate and encourage several hundred urban minority students to pursue advanced degrees in SEM. Special attention will be paid to developing strategies that enhance recruitment, retention and graduation rates. A key component of the proposed effort will establish partnerships and articulation agreements with regional community colleges, secondary schools, and with majority universities involving faculty exchange and collaboration, student support, student enrichment activities, and facilitation of transfer to and from Lincoln University. Lincoln University plans to improve its SEM curriculum to make it more challenging, exciting, relevant, and to explore the possibility of introducing new programs, while at the same time, designing activities to enhance the teaching skills and methods of SEM faculty; improving faculty/student research capabilities; renovating and expanding laboratory space and equipment for teaching and research, as well as establishing multimedia capability. Finally, the project develops strategies to involve government agencies, private foundations, and corporations in strengthening SEM programs and the infrastructure at Lincoln University.
