Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation

The 2022-23 application is closed. The deadline to apply was April 15, 2022.

The Virginia - North Carolina Alliance for Minority Participation is a member of the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) grant, a national project funded by the National Science Foundation. The program is designed to increase the graduation rates of underrepresented students in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. The Alliance includes institutions from both Virginia and North Carolina. The National Science Foundation's report on the progress of the VA-NC Alliance for Minority Participation indicates that:

Graduate Data
During year three of phase III (2019-20), the total number of underrepresnted minority students graduating with bachelor degree in STEM fields from VA-NC Alliance partner institutions increased 132% above the baseline.

Enrollment
During year three of phase III (2019-2020), enrollment of underrepresented minority students in STEM majors in Alliance schools increased 103% above the baseline.

The Virginia - North Carolina Alliance for Minority Participation @ Virginia Tech

LSAMP aims to increase the academic success and quantity of students successfully completing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) baccalaureate degree programs, and to increase the number of students interested in, academically qualified for and matriculating into programs of graduate study. A primary goal of the program is to increase the number of students who are engaged in undergraduate STEM research experiences. Students are encouraged to participate in undergraduate research or internships throughout their undergraduate career. LSAMP program components are highlighted below.

Program Details and Requirements

The LSAMP Program will provide academic support and enrichment to undergraduates participating in the program through the following means:

Opportunities & Support to Attend Research Conference(s)
- Encourage quality research and networking
- Attend annual VA-NC Symposium to present a poster and/or research
- Travel expense to be contingent upon the availability of funds and the students participation in the LSAMP Program
Academic Support and Enrichment
- Networking and academic enrichment meetings/workshops
- Support of undergraduate research
- Tutoring referrals
- Financial support/transportation related to research presentations
- 1:1 Personal Advisement twice a semester
To maintain eligibility for LSAMP, and receive stipend at the end of each semester (amount determined annually based on budget), scholars must:
- Be a US Citizen or Permanent US Resident
- Remain in good academic standing with Virginia Tech
- Be interested in attending graduate school
- Major in one of the STEM fields
- Participate in all official LSAMP activities (1:1 meetings and workshops)
- Be engaged in research with a faculty mentor during their sophomore, junior, and/or senior years at VT.

LSAMP College Transition Program
Selected first-year students in STEM majors are invited to participate in LSAMP, beginning with the AMP College Transition week prior to the start of fall classes. Transition week provides LSAMP students with structured academic programming to facilitate the high school to college transition process. A variety of workshops, including Introduction to Research, the Seminar Series on Academic Success, and Getting to Know the Blacksburg community, are presented during College Transition Week. In addition, students are required to participate in structured academic support and research activities throughout the academic year.

LSAMP Upperclass Scholars
After the first year transition program, LSAMP scholars continue to engage in academic achievement, networking, enrichment, undergraduate research and career development activities. This component is also available for students who did not participate in the Transition program. The goal remains the same -to ensure that students continue to make progress toward earning a STEM degree and their subsequent professional and career goals. Funding is provided to scholars to attend and participate in undergraduate research conferences as well as to support research endeavors on campus.

LSAMP Faculty Research Mentors
Faculty interested in serving as an undergraduate research mentor to LSAMP scholars may contact the MAOP Office for more information.

LSAMP Student Opportunities

New Students to Virginia Tech may apply to be a part of the LSAMP Program. Students that meeting that following criteria are encouraged to apply for consideration:

United States Citizen or Permanent Resident
Strong Academic Record
Interest in attending graduate/professional school
High School minimum GPA of 3.0
High School Math and Science minimum GPA of 2.8
Major in one of the STEM fields

Returning Students (i.e. Upperclass) students at Virginia Tech may apply to be a part of the LSAMP Program. Students that meeting that following criteria are encouraged to apply for consideration: