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Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation

About Us

Initiated in 1994, with support from the National Science Foundation, the California State University Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (CSU-LSAMP) Program is a comprehensive statewide project dedicated to increasing the number of students who have faced or faces social, educational or economic barriers graduating from campuses of the California State University with baccalaureate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

statewidelogoThe CSU-LSAMP Alliance, with NSF support, was initiated among 16 campuses and has gradually expanded to include all 23 full-service comprehensive universities in the CSU. 

To broaden participation of LSAMP students in graduate study, CSU-LSAMP has also established Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) Fellowship opportunities.

Overall Program Objectives:

Objective 1 Academic Integration: Support students at critical transition points in their STEM careers (e.g. entering as freshmen, transferring from community college, declaring a major in a STEM discipline) and in “gatekeeper” courses in STEM with the goal of improving student performance and persistence in STEM.

Objective 2 Professionalization: Provide opportunities for students to engage in research projects, internships, international activities, conferences, and graduate school preparation activities with the goal of increasing the number of students entering graduate programs and professional careers in STEM.

Objective 3 Social Integration: On-going exposure to experiences and opportunities that are important for socialization into science and activities that build a sense of community within STEM disciplines.

LSAMP Program Activities include but not limited to the following:

  • Academic Excellence Workshops (AEW) in Science, Engineering, or Mathematics
  • LSAMP Student Meetings
  • Orientation for new LSAMP Students
  • Summer and Academic Year Research Training Program
  • Information regarding internship opportunities
  • International Activities
  • Peer Mentoring
  • Presentation/Publication of Research
  • Travel Funds to Present/Attend Conferences
  • Graduate School Preparation Activities
  • LSAMP Academic and Career Advisement
  • Communication
  • CSU-LSAMP Statewide Recognition - PROUD Scholars

Program Benefits:

  • Free help in science, engineering and mathematics courses – LSAMP provides group facilitators (advanced students who have received grades of A or B in courses they are facilitating)
  • Travel funds, stipends & reimbursement of other costs (i.e., travel to present or attend local, regional and national conferences, graduation application fees; some tests; some texts; graduate school application fees) – amount of stipends and funding is dependent on level of participation, specific program activity, and academic performance
  • Eligibility to participate in the LSAMP Bridge to Doctorate Program - Two year graduate fellowship that covers the cost of tuition and fees, and provides funds for a stipend, supplies and travel.