The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) will sponsor a Bridge to the Doctorate Program (BD) at Texas A&M University during the 2011-2013 academic years. The program involves collaboration with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (COALS), the College of Science (COS), and the College of Engineering (COE) at the institution as well as participation in research projects at partner institutions such as TAMU-Kingsville.
The TAMUS LSAMP BD Program aims to increase the pool of science, technology, engineering or mathematics STEM PhDs among underrepresented minorities (URM) in STEM fields and to create a cohesive community of graduate students across different disciplines within the university. The program benefits society by providing opportunities and activities at graduate levels that lead to educational and career enhancements of graduate students. The TAMUS LSAMP BTD program will also enhance the infrastructure of research and education by advancing pursuit of graduate and doctoral STEM degrees at alliance institutions.
Since 2003, the alliance has conducted the NSF LSAMP Bridge to the Doctorate postbaccalaureate program at this institution and Prairie View A&M University for seven cohorts of students from historically underrepresented groups pursuing STEM doctoral degrees. Eleven (11) students have completed STEM doctoral programs and 16 students have completed STEM M. S. degrees. The remaining students are still persisting at the postbaccalaureate level or have entered STEM Ph.D. programs.
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 VII 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 ten 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 eleven 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 NSF’s Joint Annual Meeting (JAM) sessions. 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 VII program. The 2011-2012 academic year average grade point average (GPA) is 3.43. The 2012-2013 academic year average grade point average (GPA) is 3.52. Fellows won six (6) awards. Fellows published three (3) scientific journal articles. Fellows participated in five (5) presentations at numerous conferences. One (1) Fellow participated in an internship opportunity. One (1) Fellow participated in a study abroad research opportunity.
