2008 Woodie Awards
Grant to increase minority graduates
Ali Tweten
Issue date: 10/8/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Minority students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs will now have more support thanks to a $2.45 million grant shared between 16 colleges throughout the state.
"The goal is to encourage minority students to take up those disciplines and to help them succeed," said Bruce Jacobson, associate professor of biological sciences and site coordinator for the grant.
Part of the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Program, the grant will, among other things, start a student peer mentorship, which will pair minority students with upperclassmen to mentor and give them guidance during stressful times when students want to quit school.
The LSAMP program aims to increase the number of minorities who complete STEM baccalaureate degrees.
Jacobson said he felt compelled to become involved because he knew the difficulties of completing college and had certain advantages growing up many people do not.
"I grew up expecting to go to college, and in fact, expecting to go on to do post graduate work and get an advanced degree, and yet, coming back to school after that first Thanksgiving as a freshman was one of the most difficult things I did because that transition to college was full of all sorts of difficulties," Jacobson said.
The grant will be arranged to help those students who go to college and have difficulties getting through the year.
"Many of these students didn't have that expectation to go to school. When they doubt themselves, it's easier for them to quit," Jacobson said.
It will also help give confidence to younger minorities in the community and support them in expanding their education.
"It has a broad umbrella of things it can possibly do," Jacobson said.
Among the things to come in the future will be a K through 12 outreach program to tap into community students, encourage them to go to college and help them stay in college.
Jacobson said he would like to form a campus advisory team as well, to help out with designing the program.
The renewable grant will be adding more opportunities for minority students over the next five years.
"We just took three students to a conference at Gustavus called 'Heating up the Energy Debate,' about global warming, and the grant provided the opportunity to do that," Jacobson said.
Another benefit of the grant will be to send students to conferences like these in the future.
The LSAMP program is a federal initiative funded through the National Science Foundation, with the lead institution in Minnesota being the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, along with the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Minnesota High Tech Association.
"The goal is to encourage minority students to take up those disciplines and to help them succeed," said Bruce Jacobson, associate professor of biological sciences and site coordinator for the grant.
Part of the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Program, the grant will, among other things, start a student peer mentorship, which will pair minority students with upperclassmen to mentor and give them guidance during stressful times when students want to quit school.
The LSAMP program aims to increase the number of minorities who complete STEM baccalaureate degrees.
Jacobson said he felt compelled to become involved because he knew the difficulties of completing college and had certain advantages growing up many people do not.
"I grew up expecting to go to college, and in fact, expecting to go on to do post graduate work and get an advanced degree, and yet, coming back to school after that first Thanksgiving as a freshman was one of the most difficult things I did because that transition to college was full of all sorts of difficulties," Jacobson said.
The grant will be arranged to help those students who go to college and have difficulties getting through the year.
"Many of these students didn't have that expectation to go to school. When they doubt themselves, it's easier for them to quit," Jacobson said.
It will also help give confidence to younger minorities in the community and support them in expanding their education.
"It has a broad umbrella of things it can possibly do," Jacobson said.
Among the things to come in the future will be a K through 12 outreach program to tap into community students, encourage them to go to college and help them stay in college.
Jacobson said he would like to form a campus advisory team as well, to help out with designing the program.
The renewable grant will be adding more opportunities for minority students over the next five years.
"We just took three students to a conference at Gustavus called 'Heating up the Energy Debate,' about global warming, and the grant provided the opportunity to do that," Jacobson said.
Another benefit of the grant will be to send students to conferences like these in the future.
The LSAMP program is a federal initiative funded through the National Science Foundation, with the lead institution in Minnesota being the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, along with the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Minnesota High Tech Association.