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Evaluation of the NC-LSAMP Project Using Graduation Rate and Gate-keeping Course Performance Abstract

Aiming to substantially increase the number of underrepresented minorities who will contribute significantly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, engineering, and technology (STEM) areas, especially in graduate degree programs, the North Carolina Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (NC-LSAMP) project has seen a positive impact in the past few years. A longitudinal study has been carefully planned and data are being collected. So far, academic performance has been evaluated by comparing student GPA between the control group and the experimental group for the past two years. However, there are some other factors that can help assess the effectiveness of the project. In this study, two important factors were chosen to assist the evaluation of the NC-LSAMP Project: graduation rate and gate-keeping course performance. Results from the Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test revealed that students in the experimental group performed significantly better than those in the control group for both measures. Once again, strong evidence from the statistical analysis indicated that the NC-LSAMP project has the potential to significantly impact the retention and graduation rates of underrepresented STEM students.

1. Introduction

Studies have shown that diversity has a positive impact on the workplace, and the competitiveness of corporations in the global market1. According to the US Census Bureau, by year 2050, it is projected that the minority population will represent about 50% of the total U. S. population (US Census Bureau). Consequently, the minority labor force will be an important source of labor in the 21st century. However, shortage in minority students majoring in science and engineering has been an ongoing challenge for engineering educators 2, 3. It is in America’s best interest to recruit more ethnically and racially diverse students to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines and to prepare minority students to enter professional careers.

In North Carolina, a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, undergraduate program, the National Science Foundation's Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (NC-LSAMP), is designed to substantially increase the quantity and quality of minority students, especially African American, Hispanic, and Native American students, who successfully complete STEM baccalaureate degree programs, and increase the number of students interested in, and academically qualified for and matriculating into programs of graduate study4. The NC-LSAMP project has eight partner institutions (four minority schools and four majority schools) within the University of North Carolina system: North Carolina A&T State University (NCA&T), Fayetteville State University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of North Carolina at Pembroke and Winston-Salem State University. Over the years, the Alliance has systematically enhanced recruitment, retention, access, and opportunities to education, internships, and research in these fields, and has resulted in a variety of programs and

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Watson, G., & Jiang, X., & Williams, M., & Sarin, S. (2007, June), Evaluation Of The Nc Lsamp Project Using Graduation Rate And Gatekeeping Course Performance Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--2174