Janet Weiss University of Michigan Ann Arbor
SES-0753628 Steven Salley Wayne State University
SES-0753641 Karen Klomparens Michigan State University
The City University of New York (CUNY), the University of Michigan (U-M), Michigan State University (MSU), and Wayne State University (WSU) are among the Top 25 Institutions awarding baccalaureate and doctoral degrees in the social, behavioral and economic (SBE) sciences to underrepresented minorities. In addition, these institutions have documented success in meeting AGEP goals in the STEM (science, technology engineering and mathematics) fields. CUNY is currently part of a MAGNET/STEM AGEP alliance partnered with the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Polytechnic University and Stevens Institute of Technology. U-M, MSU and WSU partner with Western Michigan University to form the Michigan AGEP Alliance (MAA). CUNY and the Michigan AGEP Alliance (MAA), consisting of the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University combined efforts and formed a new regional alliance to advance the production of underrepresented minorities (i.e., African American, Hispanics, American Indians, Asian/Pacific Islanders) in the social, behavioral and economic sciences (SBE) at the B.S. through Ph.D. and early career levels. Alliance institutions are both sharing resources and best practices across the alliance and including SBE fields in existing AGEP programs. The CUNY/MAA Alliance for the SBE sciences has increased participation in summer research programs, expanded recruitment and research opportunities for social sciences students, further developed targeted relationships with minority-serving institutions, provided across the alliance student mentoring and mentoring training for faculty, coordinated skill building workshops to help ensure graduate study success and enhanced fellowship support. It has also expanded student support groups, teaching opportunities, teacher training workshops, students' attendance at professional workshops, and postdoctoral and early career education. This grant funds a continuation of these efforts.
Broader Impact
Project broader impacts will be through the institutionalization of a larger pool of individuals studying and conducting research in the SEE disciplines through the utilization of effective strategies that will attract, motivate, and train domestic talent, especially among underrepresented minorities, women and persons with disabilities. The result of these activities will be to advance understanding of the role of the social and behavioral sciences in the nation, as well as to strengthen the national workforce.
AGEP-SBE Progress Report 2013: The progress of the AGEP program for 2013 was significant At least 35 students benefited directly or indirectly from the program. The program supported a number of career building activities. Students were given the opportunity to present their research findings in their specific Ph.D. programs. The unique feature of this is that the emphasis was on communicating to a audience from varied backgrounds. This approach impacted their communicating skills as well as builds a community of scholars. The central activity of our program continued to be our monthly "AGEP forum". Some of the professional skills we conducted were: how to prepare and present a poster; how to apply and interview for jobs; grant writing skills that include Fellowship preparation and applying for Scholarships. (We emphasize idea development and how to follow instructions). These presentations address both conceptual and practical aspects that are associated with all the above activities The program also supported the travel of the AGEP students attend a workshops presented by other AGEP programs that address the following: (1) How to find postdocs; 2) How to decide to which postdocs one should apply; 3) Post-doc funding opportunities; 4) Application strategies; and 5) What you will gain from a post-doc experience. We have continued our series that include" Life after Graduate School". This program is designed to teach graduate students about career options and how to prepare for them while attending graduate school so that they are prepared on how to find employment opportunities, and/or can prepare for academic positions. The exposure to careers that involve other activities in addition to teaching was conducted. We have partnered with the university teaching institute and other programs that have programs to enhance these skills. How to prepare for a teaching career , how to go into careers in industry or government was made available The AGEP Workshop on Seeking Effective Mentoring was again presented. This workshop discuss the ways that student can effectively select mentors that are compatible to their needs. We present a lively discussion by the students matched with mentors who helped them excel Dean's Diversity Fellowship: The Dean's Diversity Fellowship is designed to attract new doctoral students to Wayne State University. The fellowship covers one academic year during which fellows have no service requirements. The fellowship includes a stipend, tuition up to ten graduate credits per term, as well as subsidized medical and dental insurance for twelve months. Graduate programs must accept responsibility for supporting the student in the subsequent three years of study at the same level of funding as the fellowship. Four fellowship awards will be allocated each academic year. This program augments our AGEP program. .Graduate School Exhibition : All Wayne State University and AGEP graduate students are invited to present or perform at this inaugural event. Event highlights include scholarly poster presentations represented all academic fields, performances by students in the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, and networking with Alumni and community members. This Research Symposium bring together AGEP scholars all partner schools, faculty, and community members to discuss research conducted by students. It features oral and poster presentations from the all disciplines. AGEP Scholars Mentoring Program: WSU AGEP Program developed an AGEP Mentoring Program. AGEP Scholars provide academic and personal support to diverse, high-able undergraduates in the Honors College and Academic Success Center programs. The graduate mentors coach mentees through the stages of development and serve as a role model. This Graduate School activity encourage students to participate in the wide variety of workshops and activities .The AGEP program observed that dissertation preparation was an area of need for doctoral students. Based on that input, an AGEP Dissertation Writers program was conducted. The program targeted students in the advanced stages of the dissertation process who have already begun to write and can provide an accepted chapter. Students were enrolled in either the STEM or SBE fields.
