Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program assists universities and colleges in their efforts to significantly increase the numbers of students matriculating into and successfully completing high quality degree programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines in order to diversify the STEM workforce. Particular emphasis is placed on transforming undergraduate STEM education through innovative, evidence-based recruitment and retention strategies, and relevant educational experiences in support of broadening the participation of historically under-represented, under-resourced, and/or under-served individuals in a STEM discipline baccalaureate level and advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
The LSAMP program provides funding to alliances that implement comprehensive, evidence-based, innovative, and sustained strategies that ultimately result in the graduation of well-prepared, highly-qualified students from underrepresented groups who pursue graduate studies or careers in STEM.
Visit the NSF LSAMP national website
What is NSF LSAMP
About INLSAMP at IUSB
Indiana University South Bend (IUSB) is pleased to be an alliance member of IN Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP). Since the award's inception in 2016, we have been committed to the goal of doubling the number of STEM Bachelor's degrees over the next five years earned by historically underrepresented students. IU South Bend is strongly committed to implementing various activities that will foster growth and success of URM students to achieve the LSAMP goals.
To achieve alliance goals, IUSB LSAMP implements the following cohesive high-impact practices to increase the retention rate of first-year full-time students in order to increase STEM degree attainment:
- Conference Participation
- Degree Mapping
- Faculty Mentored Research
- Peer Mentoring
- Math and English Boot Camps
- Tutoring
- Internships and REU Opportunities
- Professional Development Opportunities
These activities will assist students in developing the skills and learning strategies that will support their success as they navigate college. Students who are selected as LSAMP scholars will receive stipends for their active participation as tutors, peer mentors, high school ambassadors and undergraduate researchers. Hopefully, these efforts will lead to an increase in the number of URM students who successfully complete STEM baccalaureate degrees, an increase in enrollment in STEM fields and in the number of URM students going for graduate studies and into the STEM professional workforce.
There are many benefits to becoming a member of IN LSAMP:
- Belong to a community of peer mentors, scholars, faculty, and administrators who will help you thrive on campus
- Learn about upcoming STEM events on your campus
- Connect with mentors and career development professionals
- Present your research at the annual conference poster competition
- Build a network of STEM professionals for your STEM career
Mission
The mission of IN LSAMP is to increase the quality and quantity of students from historically underrepresented (URM) populations receiving Bachelor degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. To accomplish this we focus on promoting student success by engaging students early in their academic career with undergraduate research, building a community of faculty mentors at our campuses, designing professional development activities for students, and support academic persistence through graduation with our network of peer mentors and tutors.
History
IN LSAMP formed in 2016 with an award from the National Science Foundation, HRD 1618-408. The alliance came together with a single shared goal of doubling the number of STEM Bachelor degrees earned by URM students at each campus.
The alliance focuses on:
- strengthening URM students' academic preparation
- increasing engagement with their STEM discipline
- retaining students in STEM majors to graduation
- transitioning students from community college to four-year institution
- preparing students for STEM careers and graduate school through professional development
The alliance consists of six institutions of higher education in Indiana. IU Indianapolis Executive Vice Chancellor Kathy Johnson serves as the current Principal Investigator (PI) for the IN LSAMP program. There are three Co-PI's, alliance director, project manager, campus coordinators (minimum of one on each campus) and other program staff.