LS-PAC MODELS

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Louis Stokes Center for the Promotion of Academic Careers Through Motivational Opportunities to Develop Emerging Leaders in STEM (LS-PAC-MODELS)

About Us

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Louis Stokes Center for the Promotion of Academic Careers Through Motivational Opportunities to Develop Emerging Leaders in STEM (LS-PAC-MODELS), herein referred to as LS-PACs, was one of six Louis Stokes Regional Centers of Excellence (LSRCEs) recently awarded funding to conduct broadening participation research and STEM activities that result in increased degreed minority students entering into the STEM workforce. In collaboration with IBM, our data-driven center is focused on developing a national model from the undergraduate to graduate levels that supports recruitment, training, and retention of underrepresented minorities (URMs) in the STEM workforce.

Our Vision

To create a successful nationwide model with well-tested strategies for increasing underrepresented minority (URM) student preparation for academic careers.

Our Goals

• Increase the quality and number of URM STEM students pursuing doctoral degrees
• Increase the retention to graduation rate of URM STEM PhD students
• Develop a national model for increasing the number of URM STEM PhD recipients
• Develop a model for increasing the placement of minority PhD holders into the professoriate

The image shows the how the LS-PAC MODELS center (in partnership with LSU, LS-LAMP Louisiana Alliance, and IBM) will serve as a focal point and national model for aiding in diversification of the STEM professoriate, primarily through establishing and maintain a comprehensive database for mentoring (research activities). The database will involve creation of a global and diverse network of STEM Role Models (PhDs, Graduate Students, and Senior-level undergraduates), who will serve as mentors and/or mentees for participants involved in the Center. The Center will work with other LS-AMP Alliances and Other Institutions as well as organizations, networks, and corporate partners. The Center will also participate in outreach and broadening participation activities. These efforts will create enhanced pathways toward academic careers.

 

Our Objectives

• Facilitate systemic mentoring through a multimedia application that includes effective faculty-to-student/student-to-student interactions that work collectively to increase the number of URMs earning PhD degrees in STEM fields
• Provide academic support structures through workshops that increase students’ acclimation to the rigors of doctoral study
• Promote, guide, and support the transition of these PhD degree-holders into the STEM research workforce with emphasis on the professoriate through hierarchical mentoring
• Achieve self-sustainability through expansion and institutionalization of the systemic mentoring and activities of the Center by partnering with other academic institutions, STEM industry, and professional organizations
• Study social and network strengths (e.g., engagement, connectivity) in successful URM scholars to inform development of new models for supporting URM success in STEM

Role of Partnering Institutions

• Incorporate and promote the LS-PAC MODELS Center  throughout partnering institutions
• Aid in the implementation of best practices for increasing the quality and number of URM STEM students pursuing terminal degrees throughout the network
• Provide outstanding faculty mentors, who will serve as STEM Role Models within the Center