Louisiana State University’s LA-BRIDGE Program: A Vehicle for Broadening Participation of Underrepresented STEM Students Through Effective Mentorship and Essential Skill Development

• In Event: Saturday Roundtable Session 3:05 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Strategies to Enhance Underrepresented Groups (Table 19)

Abstract

To broaden the participation of historically underrepresented (UR) groups in STEM, new strategies are needed to support their academic journey. Studies reveal life opportunities, including graduate school experiences, are not based entirely on merit and intellectual ability but often are “socially constructed” and include limited access to mentors, collaborative experiences, and funding opportunities. This study reports on the impact of a multi-mentor model and formalized professional development that employs a strategic approach to cultivating well-rounded STEM UR students' interpersonal, metacognitive, and professional skill sets that build a solid foundation in their doctoral studies. The theory-guided framework and structural components of mentoring, education, and research are investigated to evaluate the strategies for supporting student matriculation and advancement into the STEM workforce.

Authors

• Tyrslai Menyaee Williams, Louisiana State University

• Zakiya S. Wilson-Kennedy, Louisiana State University

• Ashleigh Wright, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Isiah Warner, Louisiana State University