Nw Louisiana News

In its  second year at Louisiana Tech University, eight students have been  selected for the Louis Stokes Louisiana Alliance for Minority  Participation (LS-LAMP) program.

LSLAMP is a statewide program aimed at  increasing the number and quality of minority students enrolling in and  completing bachelor’s degrees in science, technology, engineering, and  mathematics (STEM) and going on to pursue graduate studies in STEM  disciplines.

“This transdisciplinary program provides  support, access, and opportunity for our students to engage in research  experiences that will prepare them for work with industry and academic  leaders upon graduation,” said Dr. Lindsey Keith-Vincent, principal  investigator for the initiative. “It is heartening to see faculty and  staff collaborate to support and guide these talented students through  their experiences at Tech.”

Students selected for the second cohort represent majors in three of Tech’s five colleges:

• Da’Monique August of Jeanerette, Biology major
• Janae Dotson of McKinney, Texas, Nanosystems Engineering major with Chemical Engineering concentration
• Angel Guillory of Opelousas, Psychology major
• Aaliyah Jackson of Monroe, Mechanical Engineering major
• Akeena Obaze of Dallas, Chemistry major with Pre-Medicine focus
• Kiswayla Scott of Zachary, Biology and Psychology majors
• Savannah Spivey of Ruston, Chemistry major
• Michael Stubblefield II of Zachary, Mechanical Engineering major

“We are extremely excited to see the  LS-LAMP program growing on Louisiana Tech’s campus,” said Dr. Shelcie  Menard Harvey, director for the project. “We have more than doubled the  number of scholars from our first cohort, and they are representing a  greater number of majors on campus. This will be an exciting year of  development!”

Students in the program are given  opportunities to participate in academic research, community service,  and mentoring. They are assigned two mentors – one to oversee a custom  research project and one to aid them in professional development.  Students also establish a peer network, receive a stipend, and present  their work at conferences and meetings.

The project is funded through 2025 by the  National Science Foundation through 2025; Southern University and  A&M College in Baton Rouge and the Louisiana Board of Regents lead  the program in Louisiana. Project leadership for Louisiana Tech  University includes Dr. Laura Bostick, Dr. Miguel Gates, Erika Jones,  Keith-Vincent, Menard-Harvey, and Dr. Jamie Newman.

To learn more about this program or apply for future cohorts, visit LATech.edu/ls-lamp.  

Original source can be found here.