Louis Stokes symposium encourages minority students in STEM field

The fifth annual Kentucky-West Virginia Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Research Symposium will work to encourage minority involvement in major fields of study today and Friday.

The program, which is funded by the National Science Foundation, features Marshall University, West Virginia State University, Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College and WVU, according to Michael Lee, executive director of LSAMP.

Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Centre College, Kentucky State University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville and Western Kentucky are Kentucky LSAMP members.

"This is our primary event each year. We see it as an opportunity to introduce what we do to the West Virginia community," Lee said. "Students at WVU have opportunities that don't exist in Kentucky. We encourage parents and students to look for these opportunities. It's very important to understand that this effort includes everyone. We want West Virginia to join the rest of the nation – we need each other."

The program is targeted toward students interested in the STEM fields: Science, technology, English and math.

"Our charge is to encourage students to pursue STEM so they can acquire a degree. It's difficult, but we encourage students to stay in the course and understand the need to achieve goals, not only in STEM, but in all areas," Lee said.

Jennifer McIntosh, executive officer for the President's Office for Social Justice at WVU, said the event will host several notable speakers who will work to teach the audience different tools to succeed in the future.

"Dr. Jenny Douglas will teach students how to write a proper resume, and Dr. Paul Hill will present research, along with students who will be presenting and discussing their own research," McIntosh said. "President Jim Clements will be the principal investigator for the event, and Kentucky State University's President Mary Sias will be speaking, as well," McIntosh said.

McIntosh said the event will create exposure not only for the University, but for the state as a whole.

"We are very happy to be able to host this event. It's exciting to provide good exposure to the University, and it's nice to expose more students to WVU and give a good name to the University and the State," McIntosh said.

The event will be held at Waterfront Place and on the Downtown Campus.