| The Houston Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation is truly a model alliance working towards the diversification of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Each partner institution has seen tremendous growth over the past 6 years, and we are now beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, as former H-LSAMP scholars are beginning to close in on completing their Ph.D.
At its core, the H-LSAMP program consists of six area colleges including the University of Houston, Texas Southern University, Texas State University, Rice University, the University of Houston-Downtown, and the University of Houston-Victoria. Texas Southern was recently recognized as the second largest Historically Black College and University in the Nation with an increase of nearly 3,000 students in just a few years. The Alliance has two Hispanic Serving Universities in Texas State University and UH- Downtown, and the UH main campus is now recognized as a Minority Institution for Secondary Education. The partnership also includes two area community colleges, Houston Community College and the San Jacinto College District. Our alliance now includes not only the Houston Independent School District, but also numerous charter and magnet schools in the Southeast Texas region.
The Alliance was created with the goal of significantly increasing the number of minority students who obtain a degree in STEM majors, with the hope of increasing the number of graduate students in STEM programs. The Alliance is a non-discriminatory organization that accepts all qualifying individuals. All recipient students are awarded stipends by their participating universities and colleges in the consortium as well as the National Science Foundation to help defray the costs of an advanced education, encourage research and community service and to help bridge the divides between students of varying backgrounds.
The composite of dedicated faculty, staff and our outstanding scholars has created a Collaborative Learning Community (CLC), a community based on providing support and guidance for the AMP participants. Each alliance partner has a unique CLC, but each hold the same core values. The CLC’s have specially designed workshops that reinforce classroom learning by creating a team building atmosphere, emphasizing proper study and communication skills, establish time management skills and provide problem solving skills to optimize success.
As the number of students drawn to STEM disciplines increases, so does our desire to produce the nations top scholars. The accomplishments of our scholars are a testament to the hard work and dedication each and everyone has put into this program. I have no doubts that within the next five years this program will be the gold standard for secondary education programs in the nation.
Craig Cassidy
Executive Director, H-LSAMP Program
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