OFFICE OF STRATEGIC INITATIVES

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1 Louisiana State University Summer 2008 News Issue XI In this Issue: Message from the Vice Chancellor 1 S-STEM Program 1 Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Professors Program 2 Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (LA-STEM) Program 3-4 Ronald E. McNair Program 5 Isiah M. Warner, Ph.D. OSI QUARTERLY OFFICE OF STRATEGIC INITATIVES Message from the Vice Chancellor Why Undergraduate? Currently LSU budgets over $100 million for research annually. Undergraduate research is an increasing enterprise at universities throughout the country. Universities recognize it as a means for students to develop stronger skills in learning, apply knowledge learned in the classroom, and as a motivator for going on to graduate school. I should note that LSU has more than 20 programs that support undergraduate research many supported by outside funding. I am a strong supporter of undergraduate research because it enables the student to become a member of a faculty mentor s research team, where they can receive guidance and support that will expand their knowledge base. These experiences will provide life-long benefits, including co-authoring a publication, conducting laboratory experiments, and presenting research findings. These experiences will also provide a firm foundation on which to build future success. The Council on Undergraduate expands on this philosophy for undergraduate research. We believe that undergraduate research is the pedagogy for the 21 st century. As an increasing body of evidence makes clear, inquiry-based learning, scholarship, and creative accomplishments can and do foster effective, high levels of student learning at a variety of public and private postsecondary locations, including doctoral and research institutions, comprehensive universities, and liberal arts colleges. Over the past several years, undergraduate research has been recognized as a key tool for enhancing the possibilities for graduate education and the financial awards that accompany a graduate degree in any field. These awards can be in the form of tuition waivers, assistantships, cash stipends, and ultimately the salary associated with receipt of a terminal degree. For more information about OSI Programs that support undergraduate research, visit our website. S-STEM Program There have been several exciting changes/new additions to the S-STEM program. One change is the addition of a new Program Coordinator, Misty Johnson, who was formerly the Coordinator for Multicultural Recruitment for the LSU Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Student Aid. With over 3 years of experience in recruiting diverse students to the university, she will also be taking the lead in recruiting some of the best and brightest students into the OSI family. New students were selected this summer: Joseph Bond, a senior majoring in biological sciences and psychology; Bao Tran, a junior majoring in Biochemistry; Terrell Carter, a senior majoring in Computer Science; Chantelle George, a junior majoring in Biological Sciences; Marquinta Winding, a freshman majoring in Biological Sciences; Elise Orellana, a junior majoring in Biological Sciences; Thu-Ha Nguyen, a freshman majoring in Biological Sciences; Erin Rollins, a senior majoring in Mathematics/Actuarial Science; and Nadia Smith, a senior majoring in Biological Sciences. In the Fall 2008 semester, S-STEM will participate in several professional development seminars. At the S-STEM Social on September 10 th, students were introduced to the program and new program policies. The Center for Academic Success presented a brief synopsis of the START Training Program. S-STEM has partnered with Ochsner Clinic Foundation this semester to enable students the opportunity to conduct hands-on, inquirybased bioscience experiments in the ilab and shadow professionals during a clinical rotation at their New Orleans location. Office of Strategic Initiatives 240 Thomas Boyd Hall, Baton Rouge, LA (225)

2 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professors Program Embarking on New Horizons This summer we welcomed five students from Baton Rouge Community College to our HHMI Community College Program. These students have exceptional academic records and display great potential for success in STEM. As a participant in the HHMI Community College program, they received a cash stipend, research experience, and mentoring from faculty and peers. Morgan Diaz: Plans to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering Current : Combustor lab with Dr. Charalampoupoulo s at LSU Daniel Osorio: Plans to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering interest: Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Catalyst Gregory Manchester: Plans to pursue a degree in Environmental Chemistry Current : BASF in automotive catalysts and selective adsorbents JoAnn Savage: Plans to pursue a degree in Biochemistry Current : Molecular Genetics Laboratory with Dr. Batzer at LSU Keyon Thomas: Plans to purse a degree in Computer Engineering interest: Parallel processing and computer architecture Dean Sherry Gibson Associate Dean of Math and Science Baton Rouge Community College HHMI-BRCC Faculty Liaison Summer Thrills Congratulations to the participants in the HHMI High School Science and Mathematics Summer Program. We believe that this year s program was not only the largest, but the best to date. There were 18 rising 9 th through 12 th graders from Louisiana and Texas working with 3 high school teachers and 3 college mentors. It was the first time we utilized undergraduate and graduate mentors to facilitate the computer training along with the scientific research and exploration projects. Weekly field trips and fun activities were added this year. However, the most exciting addition to our program, was having high school teachers facilitating our science and math classes. Their hands on approach and many lab assignments provided our participants with an opportunity for exploration we have not enjoyed in the past.

3 LA-STEM Program This summer, twenty-nine outstanding incoming LA-STEM & HHMI students participated in our Summer Bridge Program. The primary purpose of the program is to build a community between incoming students and to prepare each one for research and leadership roles at Louisiana State University. Summer Bridge also serves as an intensive orientation to LSU and the demands of college coursework where the expectations of the LA-STEM Program and HHMI Professors Program are clearly defined OSI Summer Bridge Program Students were enrolled in up to 6 hours of courses and participated in a success course facilitated by the program staff, faculty, and students. The summer included fun-filled activities and exciting field trips to places of special interest. Through coursework, activities and social programs, the scholars attempt to model an ideal community in terms of friendship, responsibility, diversity, celebration, collaboration, and caring. Moreover, the scholars develop a strong interdependent support network that will reinforce their learning outside the classroom and positively impact their development academically, socially, and professionally as undergraduates at LSU and beyond. The Summer Bridge participants, mentors, staff, and parents celebrated the summer program with a reception. Some highlights included: Mentoring Education Presentations by the Center for Academic Success Chemistry Demonstrations & Scope-on-a-rope What to Expect in College: A Student s Perspective How to Succeed in STEM: A Professor s Perspective Group/Bonding Activities, Sports, Games, & Movie Nights Pool Parties at Dr. Warner s home Etiquette Dinner, Bowling, Family Dinners Cultural Experience in Downtown Baton Rouge: Tour of the Old State Capitol, Dinner at Tsunami Restaurant, & Musical at Manship Theater New Orleans Field Trip: Community Service, Lunch cruise on the Natchez steamboat, Tour of the Aquarium of the Americas, Beignets/Coffee break at Café du Monde

4 LA-STEM Program Give Back! Community Service is a key component to the Summer Bridge Program. Throughout the summer, Dr. Mary Beth Lima facilitated a service learning class where the students were responsible for designing a playground for children at a battered women s shelter. The students were able to visit the shelter throughout the summer, and several students participated in an actual playground build from a previous design. In addition to service learning, the students, peer mentors, and OSI staff volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul Shelter/Soup Kitchen in New Orleans, where they prepared meals for those in need. Kudos to all of the 2008 Summer Bridge participants! 2008 OSI Summer REU Twenty-three students conducted undergraduate research during our eight week REU program. Throughout the summer, the participants were immersed in research under the direction of supportive faculty members and graduate students. They also attended two workshops on creating/giving dynamic poster presentations and shared advice with the incoming Summer Bridge Students as members on our What to Expect in College student panel. The program culminated with a closing luncheon and stellar presentations by the scholars at the Summer Undergraduate Forum (SURF). Special thanks to the research mentors for their guidance and congratulations to this year s participants.

5 MCNAIR Program Summer Participants Attend Orientation Dr. Ronald E. McNair The new students were welcomed to LSU at the 2008 McNair Summer Orientation event held on June 4th at the LSU Faculty Club. New McNair students: Shonda Augustus, Jamila Beasley, Brandon Boyd, Chauntreniece Davis, Dana Dumas, Tiffany Griffin, Brittany Guillory, Crystal James, JaQuita Johnson, Whitney Lain, Lakita Miller, Sharmain Lazard, Shannon Odom, and Dwan Zenon became acquainted with the McNair Staff. Connie Stelly, Program Director, educated students about the program through a presentation covering the McNair Program history, goals, and objectives. Students viewed an inspirational video on the life of Dr. Ronald E. McNair, the late NASA astronaut, that inspired the creation of this program through the U.S. Department of Education. Joe Givens, Assistant Director, encouraged the students to continue Dr. McNair s legacy by accomplishing their educational goals and making the most of the opportunities the McNair Program provides. The orientation concluded in Middleton Library with a research orientation workshop presented by LSU Librarians LSU McNair Summer 2008 Congratulations SARAH DAVIS Summer 2007 Graduate McNair Director s Message Major: Political Science University: LSU Director: Dr. Kathleen Bratton, Political Science, LSU Project Title: Media Coverage of Immigration: The Latino Perspective Congratulations to our outstanding Summer and their extraordinary research. The opportunity and challenge to discover the unknown at a I University is a privilege granted to few. When the students approach their first day in the lab they are unsure and apprehensive about their abilities. As the summer moves along, they become the butterfly out of the cocoon. Whether, it is the result of their association with expert faculty researchers or their determination to conquer the unknown, or both, they con- clude the summer as successful r e s e a r c h - ers. It was a privilege to see them present at a conference and they definitely stood out as the best. Thanks again, to students and faculty for their contribution to this program.