LSAMP

Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Program

This program is aimed at increasing the quality and quantity of students successfully completing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) baccalaureate degree programs, and increasing the number of students interested in, academically qualified for and matriculated into programs of graduate study. LSAMP supports sustained and comprehensive approaches that facilitate achievement of the long-term goal of increasing the number of students who earn doctorates in STEM fields, particularly those from populations underrepresented in STEM fields.

WHAT IS THE WBHR-LSAMP (AMP PROGRAM)?

In many fields such as mathematics, computer science and the social sciences, NSF is the major funding source. NSF recognized the importance of increasing the numbers of minority graduates in the STEM fields. Under the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation program, NSF provided funding, in the form of grants, to Alliances of colleges and universities across the United States. Howard University is the lead school in the Washington Baltimore Hampton Roads (WBHR) Alliance. The partner institutions in the WBHR-LSAMP alliance are: Bowie State University, the University of the District of Columbia, Morgan State University, Hampton University, Norfolk State University and Virginia State University.

The WBHR-LSAMP focuses on increasing the number of underrepresented minority students who are involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) research during the academic year and during the summer. AMP students are provided opportunities to participate in research on their own campus, at the campuses of neighboring institutions, at government research laboratories, and at various industrial research facilities.

WHAT DOES THE WBHR-LSAMP MEAN FOR YOU AS AN UNDERGRADUATE STEM MAJOR?

Participation in the WBHR-LSAMP program provides you with a stipend as you conduct research with a mentor. You will receive training in research methodology while gaining on-the-job experience during the academic year. As an AMP student, you will be required to participate in seminars and conferences and to present posters and oral presentations on the research with which they are involved at local symposiums and/or at national meetings across the United States. In special cases students have traveled internationally. AMP students must participate in summer internships at national laboratories, university laboratories, commercial laboratories and/or government laboratories. You will become acquainted with the current research in the United States and around the world. Also, you will acquire AMP experience that is necessary to qualify for the Bridge to the Doctorate program, a program that provides stipend and tuition support for students intent on obtaining a Ph.D. in the STEM area.

Undergraduate research has now become a more common experience than before the establishment of the AMP program at the WBHR alliance institutions. Typically, undergraduate students at all the WBHR LSAMP institutions are involved in research during the academic year and during the summer. Further, students at these institutions have opportunities to participate in research on their own campus, at the campuses of neighboring institutions, at government research laboratories, and at various industrial research facilities.

Research as an enhancement and enrichment experience has caused numerous curricula changes at alliance institutions. There has even been discussion on requiring research as a criterion for graduation via mechanisms such as senior projects in certain courses or senior research as a separate course offering. The aforementioned are clear indications that one of the goals of AMP, to institutionalize undergraduate research at minority and minority-serving institutions, can become a reality in the very near future.

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU NEED AT VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY?

Requirements for participating in the AMP program at Virginia State University:

• Student must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident. Student must provide proof of citizenship at the time of application. Student is required to submit a copy of birth certificate or US passport or permanent resident card.
• Student must be an undergraduate at Virginia State University, at least a first semester sophomore, with a major in one of the STEM disciplines
• Student must find a research mentor from a STEM discipline.
• Student and research mentor should develop a research plan and submit it to the Undergraduate Research Office (Room 135 Hunter McDaniel Building)
• Undergraduate research Advisory Committee will review the applications and will make recommendation the VSU LSAMP Coordinator.

HOW DO I BECOME A PART OF THE PROGRAM?

Students may call 804-524-2479 or visit the Undergraduate Research Office at Room 145Nc Hunter McDaniel Building for information on the LSAMP program.