About the Project
Kansas State University is the lead organization in a continuing award (2018-2023) from the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program of the National Science Foundation. This program is aimed at increasing the quality and quantity of students successfully completing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) baccalaureate degree programs, and increasing the number of students interested in, academically qualified for, and matriculated into programs of graduate study. It recognizes Louis Stokes, a long-term African American congressman from Ohio.
The project will include specialized activities at critical junctures in the pathway, such as high school to college; two-year to four-year institutions; and the critical freshman-to-sophomore transition at four-year institutions. The overall goal will be to double the number of underrepresented minorities (URM) graduating with baccalaureate STEM degrees from K-State within the five years of the proposed project.
Strengthening Alliances
The $3M, five-year award to Kansas institutions will allow establishment of an alliance that includes K-State in partnership with southwest Kansas institutions:
Garden City Community College,
Seward County Community College,
Donnelly College, and
Partner institutions in the KS-LSAMP were selected because they serve the rapidly growing Hispanic/Latino population of the state and have strong existing ties to K-State. Each Alliance partner has identified new initiatives for this project to complement those already in place, providing synergy toward the overall project goal.
These initiatives include focused and enhanced recruiting; development of detailed transfer guides; training for admissions personnel and academic advisors; student enhancement programs such as student research opportunities, internships, math immersion, and alternative spring break; a focus on career counseling; formal and peer tutoring; and implementation of improved student tracking.
Recruitment and Retention efforts
Members of the KS-LSAMP have established recruitment and retention programs aimed at serving the needs of underrepresented groups including African-Americans, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, and first-generation to college students in additional to Hispanic/Latino students.
What people are saying
"The Kansas Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation will develop innovative pathways that reflect the unique institutional characteristics and student demographics of each partner institution," Taber (K-State Provost) said. "I am very excited that this partnership will open so many opportunities for diverse students to earn STEM degrees, which will in turn serve critical regional and state workforce needs."
KS-LSAMP Leaders
Please see the K-State Leadership team, Alliance members and On-campus partners links to see those involved in KS-LSAMP
Relevant press releases
2014: https://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/jan14/kslsamp12914.html
https://www.k-state.edu/today/announcement/?id=12917
2018: https://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/2018-09/kslsamp92418.html
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Numbers 1817537 (2018) and 1305059 (2013). Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the KS-LSAMP program and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.