A Tale of Two Programs: Broadening Participation of Underrepresented Students in STEM at Loyola Marymount University

Abstract

This paper highlights two programs that successfully support underrepresented students in STEM disciplines at Loyola Marymount University (LMU). ACCESS (A Community Committed to Excellence in Scientific Scholarship) is a program that focuses on academics and critical thinking skills, which provides a threeweek residential component for incoming students and continued mentoring during their first year in college. The LMU McNair Scholars Program is one of over 150 McNair Scholars Program sites federally-funded by the U.S. Department of Education and has the overarching goal of increasing number of graduate degrees awarded to students from underrepresented segments of society. For both ACCESS and McNair, we give an overview of each program and detail about components of the programs that have led to success. In addition, we specifically address the rewards and challenges when providing mentorship at multiple levels.