Purpose

Purpose

The Louis Stokes- Louisiana Alliance for Minority Participation (LS-LAMP) is one of 28 National Science Foundation Alliance programs nationwide. The LAMP programs are designed to substantially increase the quantity and quality of minority students receiving baccalaureate degrees in science, mathematics, engineering and technology (SMET) and subsequently to increase the number of minority students entering graduate schools to earn doctorate degrees in SMET fields supported by the National Science Foundation.

The long term goal of the Louisiana AMP program is to steadily increase the number of minority students receiving bachelor of science degrees in SMET disciplines and for at least 40 percent of these students to be accepted into SMET graduate school programs.

To reach this goal, our basic strategy is to replicate and enhance--statewide--the exemplary mentoring and outreach programs currently underway at Southern University and A&M College as with The Timbuktu Academy, an undergraduate research and mentoring program.

LS-LAMP's undergraduate enhancement activities including financial support, rigorous mentoring, research participation, and guidance to graduate school are being incorporated into the undergraduate SMET programs at the eleven participating LS-LAMP institutions and one research site.

The Louisiana Alliance is led by Southern University and A&M College along with the active input and advice of an array of collaborating public and private sector entities including the LS-LAMP Governing Board, chaired by the Commissioner of Higher Education. The Louisiana Board of Regents is the grantee agency and, as such, has committed significant resources. Additionally, each participating institution provides financial support to supplement project resources.

The Systemic Mentoring Model
The Timbuktu Academy LS-LAMP Systemic Mentoring Model

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McNeese

The involvement of McNeese State University with the Louis Stokes-Louisiana Alliance for Minority Participation (LS-LAMP) began in 1996 as a program operated through the office of Dr. George Mead, Dean of the College of Science. The original model used to operate the MSU-LAMP program at McNeese consisted of two parts: a summer bridge program and a tutoring system. Students were admitted to the summer bridge program on the basis of high school grade point average, scores on the ACT examination, interest in one of the science, mathematics, engineering and technology (SMET) academic areas, and personal interview. During the summer between their graduation from high school and the following fall academic term at McNeese, the selected students were provided with an intensive mathematics experience and academic skills training. Fifteen bridge students were enrolled during the first bridge class in the summer of 1996.

Those participants that successfully completed the summer bridge program and entered McNeese the following fall term formed the core of a tutoring program operated under the sponsorship of the LS-LAMP program. LAMP scholars were utilized as tutors for students enrolled in a variety of mathematics and science courses. Tutoring assistance was free to any student enrolled in courses such as remedial mathematics, college algebra, or chemistry.

The model used to operate the McNeese LS-LAMP program began to change in the summer of 2001 when student participation in research was emphasized. A significantly revised model designed around systemic mentoring and interaction with all minority SMET majors was put into effect starting with the fall term of 2001. The model includes the organization of LAMP scholars into core groups for monitoring and mentoring by peer mentors who facilitate advisement, tutoring, and other activities. Recruiting and matching faculty research mentors and undergraduates for participating in laboratory and field research in the SMET disciplines was also expanded and made an integral part of the systemic mentoring program.

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