The Michigan Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (MI-LSAMP) was launched in November 2005 with a grant from the National Science Foundation. The MI-LSAMP partners the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University and Western Michigan in an effort to significantly increase the number of underrepresented minority students earning baccalaureate degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and prepare them for entry into graduate programs. These partners are “flagship” institutions in the State of Michigan and represent the diversity of public doctoral research extensive institutions in the nation.
To accomplish its goal, the MI-LSAMP uses the following approaches:
Pre-First Year Programs
Since 2007, the MSU College of Engineering has sponsored an acclimation program for incoming first year students. This program prepares students for the rigors of college life and participants have achieved significantly higher grade point averages than their counterparts. The MI-LSAMP has expanded this opportunity to allow students to also participate in other acclimation programs across other institutional partner campuses. The MI-LSAMP also sponsors an All Students Day Program for participants from all four campuses to meet, network and receive additional preparation for their first year of college.
Internships and Co-ops
Internships and Cooperative Education experiences help students close the relevance gap by assisting them in understanding the significance and importance of their classes to their chosen careers. Students are encouraged to register with the offices of career services, internship and cooperative education in order to take advantage of all the opportunities that are available.
