9550701 Price Xavier University (XU) of Louisiana's Alliance for Minority Participation (AMP) program represents the combined resources, facilities and faculties of 13 private, historically black members of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) in the Tennessee area: Bennett, Fisk, Knoxville, Lane, Lemoyne-Owen, Oakwood, Philander Smith, Rust, St. Augustine's, St. Paul's, Shaw, and VA Union. With strength in the natural sciences and in undergraduate research capacity, the XU AMP's goal is to double, within five years, its combined science, engineering, and mathematics (SEM) graduation rate. Improving SEM student retention rates, particularly among students with strong intellectual promise but poor academic preparation, will be a primary objective, as well as increasing enrollments in the physical sciences and mathematics. The AMP's goal and objectives will be accomplished by: three, new, shared bridge programs for entering freshmen; new entry level physical science and math courses patterned after those that are successfully offered by Xavier; improved articulation within dual- degree engineering programs; and expanded opportunities for paid and mentored undergraduate research experiences each summer in industry, graduate institutions, and external research laboratories for bridge program participants as they become sophomores, juniors and seniors. Working collaboratively, 12 Campus Coordinators will seek and implement articulation agreements for students with selected graduate institutions; effect share access to on-line academic resources for students; organize undergraduate research conferences, and develop academic support strategies in the context of each participating campus and its students. In addition, UNCF will contribute funds for scholarships and academic supports to the program, as well as its fund-raising and media expertise. Over five years, the program will impact 4,712 students, all of whom will be African Americans, raisi ng the number of graduates from the 1994 figure of 388 to 816. The increase in SEM graduates will represent a seven and one-half increase in the national production -- from institutions that enroll just one percent of the Nation's African American college students. Dr. Leonard Price, past Chair of XU's Chemistry Department, and a distinguished African American educator and researcher, will be Principal Investigator. Dr. Willie E. May, Chief of the Chemistry Analytical Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, will be Chairman of the AMP's Advisory Board. William H. Gray, III, President of UNCF, will serve as Chairman of the AMP's Governing Board, which initially will be composed of the presidents of the participating institutions but expanded to include national educational and SEM experts and officials. Ongoing program assessment will inform the AMP's advisors and administrators and the program. It will be comprised of: data gathering to monitor progress toward the goals, and evaluation to determine the effectiveness, quality, and acceptance of the program's various components.
