The low number of under-represented minorities opting for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) has been of concern for many decades.  A number of programs, many with funding from national agencies, have been developed to try to offset this downward trend.  Despite these efforts, the relative number of minorities opting for PhDs in the STEM area has not changed substantially over the past several decades.  However, the picture is not as bleak as is reflected in these overall numbers.  There are a few success stories among the many dismal failures.  One of these is the graduate program at Louisiana State University, which has enrolled a record number of African American graduate students who are pursuing PhDs in chemistry.  Over the past ten years, the LSU program has averaged close to thirty African Americans pursuing PhDs in chemistry.   In fact, over this same time period, one out of every 11 African American chemistry PhDs produced in this country has come from LSU. This transformation is quite remarkable when one considers that before 1992, LSU chemistry had never had more than three African Americans pursuing a PhD in chemistry at any given time. Data from this program will be highlighted and possible keys to success will be outlined in this talk.

Transformation of the Louisiana State University Chemistry Department

248th National Meeting (2014)

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