Mentoring and Diversity Preparing Students for Graduate Studies in Science, Engineering and Mathematics Supported in part by the MORE Division of NIGMS, NIEHS, NSF, HHMI

African American SEM PhD Production in the United States % % % Source: NSF

Source: NSF WebCASPAR database SEM PhD and Medical School Production in 2000

U.S. Population Projections Caucasian 71% 62% 53% African American Hispanic American Asian & Pacific Islander Native American Source: US Census Bureau

THE MEYERHOFF SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Typical High School SAT Scores Data shown for Average SAT for Current Freshman 2005 Cohort: 1310

Comparison between: Meyerhoff - Students from first three coeducational cohorts ( ) Declined - Students who declined Meyerhoff offers and went to other universities ( ) Pre-Meyerhoff - Students who entered UMBC prior to Meyerhoff program and met Meyerhoff criteria UMBC - students who entered UMBC who met Meyerhoff Criteria (all African Americans are Meyerhoff students) * Maton, K., Hrabowski, F. (1999). African American College Students Excelling in the Sciences: College and Postcollege Outcomes in the Meyerhoff Scholars Program. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 37, Are we really making a difference?

UMBC Students ( ) SEM Graduation Majors Graduation Majors

Graduate Education Meyerhoff ( ) versus pre-Meyerhoff

Students who accepted Meyerhoff offer versus Students who declined Science, Engineering, and Math (SEM) GPA

Meyerhoff students versus those who declined offer ( ) Students who Remained in SEM Discipline

Students who accepted Meyerhoff offer versus those who declined ( ) SEM Graduates Post-Baccalaureate

IMSD Graduate Program Components Summer Bridge Program Eight-weeks for first-year students include a research rotation, a Technical Writing Course and Chemistry Workshops for Chemistry/Biochemistry students as well as social activities. Monthly meetings Seminars by students, mentors and established underrepresented scientists Annual weekend retreat Student travel to scientific meetings to present thesis research results Counselor to provide consultation, assistance and support Undergraduate Summer Biomedical Training Program

As of November 2004: 390 URM applicants since participants from 26 universities throughout the U.S. 87% of graduates matriculated to graduate and/or professional schools; 18% joined PhD programs at UMBC. 6 Additional Summer Outreach Programs based on the IMSD model. Summer Biomedical Training Program Outreach is critical

Meyerhoff Graduate Fellows Applications by Major

Meyerhoff Graduate Fellows Total Enrollment

Meyerhoff Graduate Fellows PhD Student Retention

Very large numbers of high-achieving URM high school and undergraduates are interested in SEM fields.... Conclusions URM Graduate Students can be recruited and retained by: 1. Outreach to minority serving undergraduate institutions. 2. Summer bridge and Year-1 support. 3. Modernized selection procedures. 4. Provide an inclusive environment (Diversive AND Inclusive). Retention of undergraduates can be increased by: 1. Providing Summer Bridge and Freshman-year support. 2. Exposure to mentors in research labs as soon as possible. 3. Involvement of motivated, successful administration, faculty. 4. Provide an inclusive environment. few are retained