Future Scholars - Graduate

The LSU Pinkie Gordon Lane Graduate School Future Scholars Initiative aims to remove barriers to graduate education while providing holistic support and resources essential for the successful completion of doctoral and professional programs. This premier initiative seeks to produce the next generation of highly trained professionals, scientists, engineers, and scholars from economically disadvantaged and historically underserved backgrounds, who will become leaders within academia, industry, non-profit, and governmental sectors. Future Scholars will receive holistic development, engage in a structured mentoring community.

The Future Scholars – Graduate program is a 4-year scholarship award. Scholars are characterized as Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, & Year 4 scholars.

Program Details

The LSU Pinkie Gordon Lane Graduate School Future Scholars Program aims to assist underrepresented graduate students in their transition into graduate school and provide ongoing support throughout their academic journey. We strongly believe that this support should extend beyond academic resources and include academic and non-academic resources that can contribute to the overall success and well-being of our scholars.

LSU's Future Scholars programs have three components.

Component 1: LSUFS - Grades 7-12

Component 2: LSUFS - Undergraduate

            To learn more information about LSUFS Components 1 and 2: Click Here

Component 3: LSUFS-G - Graduate

Goals:

  • Increase number of students from underrepresented and low-income groups earning doctoral degrees from LSU.
  • Create access for Louisiana residents who are part of groups that are usually left out of higher tiers of the economy.
  • Prepare participants to drive impact through leadership and research in Louisiana and beyond.

Preferred:

  • STEM discipline.
  • Linkage to Louisiana.
  • Doctoral or PhD student

Program Benefits

  • Graduate Assistantship
  • Waiver of tuition and nonresident fee
  • 75% coverage of student health insurance
  • Additional $14,000 per year to top of Graduate Assistantship
  • Monthly Personal and Professional Development
  • Mentorship Networks including Faculty, Graduate Students, Undergraduate Students, and Sector Professionals
  • Individual Development Plan
  • Doctoral Career Exploration

Program Requirements

  • Have a departmentally supported GA offer at the 50% effort.
  • Be a domestic student.
  • PhD entry student.
  • Remain in Good Academic Standing.
  • No Bursar Holds or Outstanding Fees.
  • Participate in Mentoring Workshops for LSUFS 7-12 & Undergrad Scholars.
  • Attend Professional Development Seminars and Workshops Each Semester.

*A strong preference will be given to students who have a connection to Louisiana,

students who are from STEM fields, and/or from systematically underrepresented groups.*

The Future Scholar - Graduate Model & Resources

360 Monthly Meetings

  • The program manager will schedule monthly meetings.

Imposter Syndrome & Micro-Aggression

  • Check our Calendar of Events for scheduled events.

Scholar Saturdays

  • The Future Scholars Program offers a unique opportunity for students through its stackable mentorship component. As part of this program, graduate school scholars have the chance to interact with eager undergraduate students, sharing their own experiences and insights to guide them through the graduate process. This not only exposes undergrads to the world of graduate studies, but also offers a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be a scholar.

GRAD 7001 (Navigating Graduate School)

  • This course is recommended for year 1 scholars.
  • A seminar designed to help new graduate students navigate graduate school and their graduate degree programs.

Register for this course to attend.

Check our Calendar of Events for scheduled events.

Check our Calendar of Events for scheduled events.

Check our Calendar of Events for scheduled events.

Check our Calendar of Events for scheduled events.

Check our Calendar of Events for scheduled events.

Grad 7002
  • This course is recommended for year 2 scholars.
  • A Seminar on the policies governing teaching, responsibilities, and classroom management for new GTAs and TA-3s at LSU.
Grad 7004

This course is recommended for year 3 scholars.

  • Prepares doctoral students (and other graduate students) for an academic career in a variety of institutional types. The program focuses on (1) foundational pedagogy in a university and college setting (2) effective teaching in a diverse classroom, and (3) readiness for navigating a full range of faculty roles in teaching, research, and service.
    • Instructor led:  Writing a Teaching Statement
    • Instructor led:  Writing a Research Statement
    • Instructor led:  Preparing an academic CV
  • Week 1: Why vs. why not to pursue an academic career?
  • Week 2 – CIRTL course: Practice and Feedback – Peer Instruction
  • Week 3&4 – Practice and Feedback – Problem-Based Learning
  • Week 5&6 – Thinking Like a Scientist – Inquiry-Based Labs
  • Week 7&8: Preparing for a Faculty Job Interview
  • Week 9: Publish or Perish
  • Week 10: Responsible Conduct of Research and IRB
  • Week 11: Course Design
  • Week 12:  Grant Opportunities and Grant Writing Tips
  • Week 13&14: Tenure and Promotion Process and Expectations
  • Week 15: Wrap-up
IDP (Updated IDP for year 2 – 4 scholars)
  • More information will be provided directly to scholars on IDPs.
PSA or Internship (Olinde)
  • More information will be provided directly to scholars on PSAs or Internships.
Other
  • Check our Events Calendar for scheduled events.

NCFDD

The tools provided by NCFDD webinars could help boost you with your graduate journey.

First Year Scholars:

Second Year Scholars:

Third Year Scholar

Fourth Year Scholar

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning is an online platform that offers expert-led course videos to help discover and develop business, technology, and creative skills.

More information will be provided directly to scholars on how to access LinkedIn Learning.

Coming Soon