Louis Stokes Louisiana Alliance for Minority Participation (LS-LAMP)
The Louis Stokes Louisiana Alliance for Minority Participation (LS-LAMP) is one of twenty-seven (27) National Science Foundation (NSF) alliance programs nationwide. LS-LAMP is designed to substantially increase the quantity and quality of minority students receiving baccalaureate degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and subsequently to increase the number of minority students entering graduate schools to earn doctorate degrees in STEM fields supported by the National Science Foundation.
The long term goals of the LAMP program are to double the number of minority students receiving BS degrees in STEM disciplines (from 500 to 1000) and for 20% of those students to be accepted into STEM graduate school programs. The basic strategy is the statewide replication and enhancement of exemplary mentoring and outreach programs currently underway at Southern University such as the Timbuktu Academy, an undergraduate research and mentoring program.
The undergraduate enhancement activities including financial support, rigorous mentoring, research participation, and guidance to graduate school will be incorporated into the undergraduate STEM programs at the eleven (11) participating LAMP institutions (Dillard University, Grambling State University, Louisiana State University, McNeese State University, Nunez Community College, Southern University and A&M College, Southern University at New Orleans, Southern University at Shreveport, Tulane University, University of New Orleans, University of Southwestern Louisiana and Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium - LUMCON).
The Louisiana Alliance is led by Southern University and A&M College with the active input and advice of an array of collaborating public and private sector entities including the LAMP Governing Board, chaired by the Commissioner of Higher Education.
Strengthening Minority Access to Research and Training (SMART)
"Strengthening Minority Access to Research and Training" (SMART) is the University's Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Undergraduate Programs (HBCU-UP) three-year long-range strategic plan of action which addresses the historical under-representation of minorities in baccalaureate and doctoral ranks of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. The objectives of SMART are to help increase retention and graduation rates of STEM majors and to increase the number of the STEM baccalaureates who pursue doctoral degrees in STEM disciplines.
This program includes all STEM majors in biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, urban forestry, agricultural sciences, mathematics, engineering (chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical), engineering technology, and English (oral and written communication). It proposes to close the loop by targeting a large population of STEM students and faculty not being served by other programs. The plan's design, however, is to reinforce the goals and objectives and strengthen the outcomes of similar programs such as the NSF sponsored Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation.
As part of the undergraduate research experience component, SMART provides stipends and scholarships to full-time SUBR undergraduate students (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) to support their hands-on involvement in research and educational activities in STEM areas during summers and academic semesters. It also offers financial support for curricula and faculty development.
The Timbuktu Academy is an umbrella recruitment, advisement, mentoring, support, guidance, and research participation program primarily for undergraduate and pre-college scholars in the Department of Physics. The academy was established in 1990-91 with funding from the National Science Foundation and Louisiana Stimulus for Excellence in Research (LaSER). Major funding from the Department of Navy, Office of Naval Research (ONR), in the fall of 1993, was pivotal in the strengthening of the academy and its expansion to engineering and chemistry.
The objectives of the Timbuktu Academy are to produce well trained science, engineering, and mathematics graduates and to guide these graduates to Ph.D. degree programs, to produce new professional and educational services to local and national communities, in general, and to pre-college students in particular.
For more information, contact:
Dr.
Michael Stubblefield, Vice Chancellor for
Office of Research and Strategic Initiatives
Physical Address: 730 Harding Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70813
Mailling Address: P.O. Box 9272, Baton Rouge, LA 70813
Phone: (225) 771-3890
Fax: (225) 771-5231
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
