A group of incoming first-year students interested in STEM fields participated in Eastern’s inaugural Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program this July. The program is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and aims to diversify Connecticut’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce.

The grant is extended to all four Connecticut state universities. LSAMP seeks to increase STEM educational opportunities among historically underrepresented groups.

Eastern's portion of the grant totals $525,000 over five years. A cohort of 10 students was selected from the incoming first-year class; 15 additional students will be selected to begin each subsequent year of the program. LSAMP provides an academic community and learning resources for first-year STEM students.

The program kicked off with a two-week Residential Summer Bridge Program for incoming first-year students. In this program, the incoming students lived on campus, received targeted instruction in math, participated in workshops to improve their success in gateway STEM courses, heard from a variety of speakers and engaged in social events, such as a movie night at the Mansfield Movieplex and a campfire.

“We are proud of our first cohort of LSAMP scholars,” said Emily Todd, dean of arts and sciences. “They worked hard and soaked up all the experiences, and we are looking forward to having them back on campus this fall to participate in more LSAMP activities, including a first-year learning community."

Kim Ward, professor of mathematics, serves as the program’s institutional coordinator and a faculty research mentor. She also designed the summer program. “The nice thing about this summer was (the students) meshed really well together,” she said.

During the summer program, several department chairs and other guest speakers addressed the students. Discussion topics included research efforts within departments, career opportunities, and other departmental opportunities, said Ward.

Peer and faculty mentors will assist students throughout their time in LSAMP. Most will be selected during the upcoming fall semester. Thanks Louzingou, who is a data science graduate student and hall director, currently serves as the main peer mentor.

“They're going to serve as role models for what’s to come, but they will also serve as tutors,” said Ward of the peer mentor program. “They'll be a part of creating the learning community, so the students feel welcome and have camaraderie and (community).”

Ward’s approach involves helping students develop not just as scholars, but as people. “We’re taking care of the whole person,” she said.

In her holistic approach, Ward has brought in speakers to educate students on various health topics. Sara Newman Carroll, assistant professor of health sciences and nursing, spoke to students about “sexual behavior and its consequences,” said Ward.

Bryce Crapser, director of counseling services, informed students of mental health resources on campus. Rachel Betts, graduate intern in the Pride Center, led a discussion about substance abuse.

Stephen Tavares, police chief and director of public safety, also led a discussion about his background, inviting students to share theirs as well. “That’s what I’ve been asking (guest speakers) to do,” said Ward.

“I've taken all of the activities and categorized them because when you're at a university, it's not just about going to class,” said Ward. “It's everything that takes place on campus as you move from point A to point B.”

The program is organized by three priority "categories." The campus community category, explained Ward, “seeks to establish a comprehensive supportive community composed of various persons from different backgrounds who have walked different paths to arrive at their current point in life today."

The department chair category “seeks to inform, motivate and excite the LSAMP students about majoring in STEM at Eastern,” said Ward.

“My next category, the ‘you in STEM’ series, is an open and honest dialogue that seeks to strengthen resilience, growth mindset and self-efficacy through the sharing of one's academic journey, including challenges.

“The goal of this series is once again to create a sense of belonging and self-identity in STEM.”