Measuring Graduate School Recruitment and Retention

This paper reports on findings from an evaluation capacity building project with graduate schools that are awardees of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Alliance for Graduate Education and Professoriate (AGEP). An evaluation framework for the AGEP Program was developed based on the objectives of increasing the number of minority students pursuing advanced study, obtaining doctoral degrees, and entering the professoriate in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Underrepresented minority (UM) students include students who are African American, Hispanic American, and American Indian/Alaskan Native/Pacific Islanders. Data for academic years 1996-1997 through 2002-2003 were received from 63 AGEP graduate institutions participating in 26 different alliances. Data are presented on (a) changes in the percent of UM student who are new enrollees in graduate schools for the pre and post-period and (b) changes in the percent of UM graduate students in the total STEM graduate student population for the pre and post period. Since time to STEM PhD degree is 6.5 to 7 years, we have not yet examined changes in PhD degrees earned and post-PhD employment plans because it is to early to attribute these changes to the AGEP Program. Introduction, Goal, and Methods The U.S. continues to suffer from a long-standing underrepresentation of minorities (i.e., African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders) among science, mathematics and engineering doctorates. This untapped talent has serious consequences for the nation's ability to compete in a world economy driven by technological advances, as well as for a large segment of the nation's citizens who suffer loss of opportunity. This underrepresentation is evident in all sectors: academe, industry, and government. Over the years, both government and private sectors have invested significant resources to increase minority representation in STEM graduate programs and the PhD workforce. While some exemplary programs exist, limited progress has been made overall (NSF, 2004). The National Science Foundation (NSF) Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) program is intended to increase significantly the number of students receiving doctoral degrees in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), with special emphasis on those population groups underrepresented in these fields (i.e., African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders). In addition, since lack of role models and mentors in the professoria te constitutes a significant barrier to producing minority STEM graduates, NSF is particularly interested in increasing the number of minorities who will enter the professoriate in these disciplines (NSF 2004). Since