Louis Stokes Center for the Promotion of Academic Careers Through Motivational Opportunities to Develop Emerging Leaders in STEM (LS-PAC-MODELS)
About Us
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Louis Stokes Center for the Promotion of Academic Careers Through Motivational Opportunities to Develop Emerging Leaders in STEM (LS-PAC-MODELS), herein referred to as LS-PACs, was one of six Louis Stokes Regional Centers of Excellence (LSRCEs) recently awarded funding to conduct broadening participation research and STEM activities that result in increased degreed minority students entering into the STEM workforce. In collaboration with IBM, our data-driven center is focused on developing a national model from the undergraduate to graduate levels that supports recruitment, training, and retention of underrepresented minorities (URMs) in the STEM workforce.
Our Vision
To create a successful nationwide model with well-tested strategies for increasing underrepresented minority (URM) student preparation for academic careers.
Our Goals
- Increase the quality and number of URM STEM students pursuing doctoral degrees
- Increase the retention to graduation rate of URM STEM PhD students
- Develop a national model for increasing the number of URM STEM PhD recipients
- Develop a model for increasing the placement of minority PhD holders into the professoriate
The image shows the how the LS-PAC MODELS center (in partnership with LSU, LS-LAMP
Louisiana Alliance, and IBM) will serve as a focal point and national model for aiding
in diversification of the STEM professoriate, primarily through establishing and maintain
a comprehensive database for mentoring (research activities). The database will involve
creation of a global and diverse network of STEM Role Models (PhDs, Graduate Students,
and Senior-level undergraduates), who will serve as mentors and/or mentees for participants
involved in the Center. The Center will work with other LS-AMP Alliances and Other
Institutions as well as organizations, networks, and corporate partners. The Center
will also participate in outreach and broadening participation activities. These efforts
will create enhanced pathways toward academic careers.
Our Objectives
- The LS-PAC MODELS Center will serve as a focal point and national model for aiding in the diversification of the STEM professoriate, primarily through establishing a comprehensive database for mentoring.
- The database will involve creation of a global and diverse network of STEM Role Models (PhDs, Graduate Students, and Senior-level undergraduates), who will serve as mentors and/or mentees or participants involved in the Center.
- The Role Models will share knowledge, opportunities, and guidance within the network. Role Models will aid in “championing” the work of their mentees, teach healthy habits that promote higher self-esteem and help develop the necessary social skills for acquiring academic positions within the academy.
- The LS-PAC MODELS Center will display best practices of the undergraduate and graduate students throughout all platforms.
- The LS-PAC MODELS Center will serve LS-AMP and non-LS-AMP programs to collect data on the successful implementation of the network. Data on confirmed best practices will be disseminated through various publications.
Role of Partnering Institutions
- Incorporate and promote the LS-PAC MODELS Center throughout partnering institutions
- Aid in the implementation of best practices for increasing the quality and number of URM STEM students pursuing terminal degrees throughout the network
- Provide outstanding faculty mentors, who will serve as STEM Role Models within the Center