Mentoring and Research can be important tools for transforming undergraduate education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Through such experiences, aspiring scientists are engaged in meaningful learning that transcends classroom teaching into applications of relevance to real-world challenges. In addition, mentoring and research synergistically impact student retention and provide the preparatory background for long term careers in STEM fields. At the graduate level, evidence of such changes can be observed within the Department of Chemistry at Louisiana State University (LSU). In addition, through funding from the National Science Foundation, Research Corporation, and the Louisiana Board of Regents, my Office of Strategic Initiatives at LSU has implemented a very successful undergraduate STEM program for a diverse population of students. Through mentoring, research, and financial support, we have realized growth in the retention and graduation rates of undergraduate program participants. Beyond simple subsistence in STEM fields, we also witnessed an increase in graduating GPAs of our students, as well as an increase in the number of program participants garnering national awards and going on to obtain terminal degrees in STEM fields. We have demonstrated that these strategies are equally applicable to a diverse population of students such that there is not a significant difference in the six-year graduation rates of under-represented minorities, women, and majority students. This talk will provide evidence of such changes at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

Mentoring and research: Tools for enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM

ACS Fall 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.