1. Strategies for Maintaining Diversity for Undergraduate and Graduate Students in STEM Disciplines at LSU Professor Isiah M. Warner Department of Chemistry Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803 Diversity Event, Woods Hole, June 26, 2008

2. ONE OF TODAY’S GREATEST EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES: PRODUCTION OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF STEM SCHOLARS/RESEARCHERS

3. Comments on some At-Risk Students This student’s grades do not reflect their true abilities. This student has an aptitude for science. This student is very interested in science. This student is not performing up to their abilities. Something is wrong?

4. An Innovative Hierarchy Model for Integrating Research, Education, and Peer Mentoring LSU Mentor MentoringEducationResearch

6. ELEMENTS OF LSU HHMI/LA-STEM PROGRAMS Improved Study and Note Taking Skills Development of Group Interaction Skills Improved Time Management Skills Enhanced Science Comprehension Through Research Development of Mentoring Skills

7. 2006 Summer Bridge Students HHMI and LA-STEM

8. In HHMI and LA-STEM, we provide a supportive, motivating, diverse, learning community for students which promotes academic success through a three-pronged approach: Mentoring EducationResearch ACADEMIC SUCCESS

9. Mentors function in four primary roles: 1.Teacher imparting knowledge or skill to the mentee by example or experience 2.Counselor exchanging opinions and ideas with the mentee to reach a decision or deliberate plan of action 3.Intervener influencing the mentee’s attitudes and behaviors 4.Sponsor assuming responsibility for assisting the mentee in gaining greater academic success Mentoring

10. What all students need to be successful: Refined problem-solving skills Time management and organization Enhanced interdisciplinary learning Ability to make connections between coursework and real-world experiences Metacognitive abilities (learning how you learn best and monitoring your own learning) Writing skills (yes, even for STEM majors) Education

11. SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday 17 Week 1 AUGUST 18 Orientation 19 Orientation 20 Orientation 21 Orientation 2223 24 Week 2 25 Classes Begin 26 Getting On Course to your Success 2728 Accepting Responsibility & Time Mgmt: Schedules 2930 31 Week 3 1 SEPTEMBE R Labor Day Holiday 2 Goal Setting & Self Motivation 34 Self Motivation 56 7 Week 4 89 Notetaking & Mentoring 1011 Study Strategies I 1213 14 Week 5 1516 Preferred Learning Styles 1718 Self Discipline & Interdependen ce Career Fair 1920 21 Week 6 2223 Grad Student Research Presentation & Grad School Application Overview 2425 Self Awareness: Are You Off Course? 2627 28 Week 7 2930 Mentor & Review of Midterm Study Schedule 1 OCTOBER 2 Fall Holiday 3 Fall Holiday GAELA 4 Conference 5 Week 8 @ Tulane 6 Classes resume 7 Study Strategies II 89 Is 24 Hours Enough? 1011 12 Week 9 13 MIDTERMS 14 MIDTERMS 15 MIDTERMS 16 MIDTERMS 17 MIDTERMS 18 MIDTERMS

12. Our Research students (mentors) receive extensive preparation for research during their first semester in program or before (summer bridge) work in a research lab by their second semester in program have a research mentor to offer guidance and support have the opportunity to participate in summer research programs all over the country Research

13. Success through collaboration LA-STEM Research Scholars Program HHMI Professors Program jk LA-STEM students who lose eligibility for the program because of the GPA requirement can transfer to HHMI HHMI students whose GPAs qualify them for LA-STEM can transfer from one program to the other 2.5 to 3.0 > 3.5

14. 2002 HHMI Cohort Academic Outcomes Cumulative GPA is consistently higher

15. 2002 HHMI Cohort Academic Outcomes - Retention in STEM

16. LA-STEM COHORTS Vs. LA-STEM LA-STEM Cohorts LA-STEM number65825 HS GPA 3.79 3.70 ACT 27.227.8 1 st Year GPA 3.29 3.72 Senior College 50.9%88.0%

17. OVERALL LA-STEM Vs. LA-STEM URM LA-STEM number 25 8 HS GPA 3.70 3.66 ACT 27.825.2 1 st Year GPA 3.72 3.77 Senior College 88.0%75.0%

18. 2006 HIGHLIGHTS STUDENTSAWARDS LA-STEM Student (MD/PhD) University Medalist HHMI Student (PhD) Most Outstanding Mathematics Major HHMI/LA-STEM Student (PhD) Most Outstanding Chemistry Researcher HHMI/LA-STEM Student Gilliam Fellow (PhD) Four LA-STEM Students 4/5 Goldwater nominees Twelve Students (Summer REU) MIT (4); Wisconsin (7); Rice (1);

19. 2006 Summer Research Students HHMI and LA-STEM

20. Transformation of Louisiana State University’s Graduate Chemistry Program

21. Chemical & Engineering News, December 10, 2001, Volume 79, Number 50, pp. 39-42

22. African American Degrees (as % of Total LSU Degrees)

23. 1.Richard Evans, PhD, 1965-1971 2.Mildred Smalley, PhD, 1968-1972 3.Don Prier, PhD, 1975-1981 The Beginning Years - 1965 to 1985 3 PhD Degrees:

24. The Recent Years

25. CHEM Selection Criteria GPA Letters of Reference GRE (Verbal and Quantitative) Personal Interview

26. CHEM Success Factors Mentoring and Support Proximity of HBCU's Critical Mass Faculty Collusion Self-Sustained Recruiting Employability

27. Mentoring Graduate Students Excited About Research Work Positive interaction with students Good communication High marketability Same Evaluation Criteria Don’t treat students differently Reward highly successful students Foster those having difficulties (positive attitude) Create Diversity in Group PhDs work in a culturally diverse world Stress interactions within group Take Advantage of Programs (Opportunities)

30. HBCU's Dillard, Grambling Southern NO Southern BR Southern Shreveport Xavier Prairie View Texas Southern Alcorn Jackson State Mississippi Valley Tougaloo

31. LSU African American Chemistry Graduate Student Community Success Active in LSU/SU campus leadership activities Active as campus tutors in Center for Academic Success Active in community charitable activities Active as role models for undergraduates, elementary, middle school, and high school students LSU listed as “Hot Spot for Diversity” by U.S. News

32. CHEM

33. LA-STEM/ HHMI Scholars/Mentors Programs

34. The LA-STEM Research Scholars Program is funded by the National Science Foundation, Research Corporation, and Louisiana State University. Howard Hughes Professors Program Supported by Howard Hughes Medical Institute LA-STEM Research Scholars Program