WMU Home > WMU News

WMU News

WMU News on Twitter

WMU joins 12 other schools to advance STEM leadership

Jan. 31, 2011

KALAMAZOO--Michigan's four flagship universities and nine community colleges will kick off their newly expanded collaboration in the Michigan-Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, or MI-SAMP, by holding a special event beginning at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, at Lansing Community College.

Economists and business and government leaders agree: Michigan must have a diversified economy to succeed in the future. And that economy will require a diverse, professional workforce.

Western Michigan University, along with the University of Michigan, Michigan State and Wayne State universities, established the alliance in 2005 with support from the National Science Foundation. They committed to significantly increase the number of underrepresented minority students graduating with degrees in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM.

During Phase I, 2005-10, award of STEM baccalaureates to underrepresented minority students increased by nearly 50 percent. In Phase II, nine of Michigan's top community colleges are joining the alliance to achieve a 100 percent increase, as the state builds tomorrow's expert workforce.

The community college alliance partners are: Grand Rapids Community College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Kellogg Community College, Lake Michigan College, Lansing Community College, Macomb Community College, Muskegon Community College, Washtenaw Community College and the Wayne County Community College District.

The Feb. 3 kickoff will include remarks by the MI-LSAMP Board of Governors, including WMU President John M. Dunn, U-M President Mary Sue Coleman, MSU President Lou Anna Simon, and others. The event, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., is in Lansing Community College's Dart Auditorium, 500 N. Capitol Ave.

Share |

Media contact: Mark Schwerin, (269) 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu

WMU News
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
(269) 387-8400
www.wmich.edu/news