The LS-SCAMP is one of the oldest and most successful alliances currently existing in the state of South Carolina. Established in 1992 as a collaborative effort between the National Science Foundation and eight higher education institutions and restructured in 2002, with South Carolina State University becoming the lead institution, LS-SCAMP now consists of twelve South Carolina institutions including six Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Benedict College, Claflin University, Voorhees College, Morris College, Allen University, and inclusive of SCSU; three majority universities: Clemson University—Research I, the University of South Carolina – Research I, the College of Charleston; and three technical colleges: Midlands Technical College, Denmark Technical College, and Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College. The primary focus of LS-SCAMP is recruitment, retention, and degree completion of underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Developed to remove barriers that prevent full participation in STEM fields by minority individuals, LS-SCAMP has successfully graduated 2,507 minority students with STEM baccalaureate degrees and enrolled 25,896 undergraduate students over the five year Phase II project period (2007-2012). In two decades of the program existence, the institutions collectively awarded 9,406 STEM degrees and enrolled 77,449 STEM students. Through committed leadership and the innovative use of resources, LS-SCAMP institutions have increased degree production each year of the project and have consistently produced 71% of the underrepresented minority STEM degrees in the state of South Carolina. The Baccalaureate Degrees and STEM Enrollment over Phase II by Reporting Year Reporting Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Degrees Awarded 456 480 509 515 547 STEM Enrollment 4808 4841 5012 5361 5874 Source: WEB AMP OMB#3145-0136 LSAMP Program Activities and programs offered during the five year project period (2007-2012) included signature initiatives such as Summer Bridge Programs, Summer and Academic Year Research Programs, Scholarship program, Mentoring, Counseling, Tutoring, Summer Undergraduate Research Conference, Seminars, Workshops, GRE preparation workshops, and Technical College Transfer activities. Outcomes and Accomplishments Awarded 9,406 STEM BS degrees to underrepresented minorities (URMs) at alliance institutions (1992-2012) Enrolled 77,449 URMs in STEM disciplines (1992-2012) in the two decades of the program existence Funded 1,355 academic year and summer research internships for LS-SCAMP undergraduates during Phase II and a total of 2,655 internships during Phase I and II (2002-2012) Successfully recruited and enrolled 417 Summer Bridge participants during Phase II (2007-2012) Doubled undergraduate minority student participation in research conferences, workshops, seminars and GRE exam prep sessions in one year (Y2011 – 370 vs. Y2012 - 602) Transitioned 92 URM scholars into graduate school during Phase II (2007 – 2012) Initiated 35 partnerships and collaborations with federal, state laboratories and business and industry partners during Phase II (2007 – 2012) Enhanced project sustainability with $6.2 million invested in LS-SCAMP through the State of South Carolina Legislature partnership 351 oral and poster presentations made by undergraduate research scholars at the LS-SCAMP annual Undergraduate Science and Engineering Research Conferences over the project period Technical College Activities: Phase II technical college partners included Midlands, Denmark, and Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical Colleges: Successfully transferred 331 URM technical school students into four year partner institutions to pursue BS degrees in STEM Graduated an average of 10 technical college transfers each year of the project. A total of 52 Bachelor of Science degrees in STEM were awarded to technical college students Impact: The increased number of underrepresented minorities who graduate college alone (2,507), has had a direct impact on economic development in the state of South Carolina. The success of the LS-SCAMP program has broadened the state’s efforts to improve economic development by educating its citizenry in required disciplines (STEM) that attract competitive industries to the state.
