The Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD Bridge Program

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1 The Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD Bridge Program Keivan Guadalupe Stassun Associate Professor of Physics & Astronomy, Vanderbilt University Adjunct Professor of Physics, Fisk University Director, Vanderbilt Initiative in Data-Intensive Astrophysics (VIDA) Co-Director, Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD Bridge Program

2 Nashville, Tennessee Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD Bridge Program Get the preparation you need to earn a PhD 1. Earn a Masters degree in physics or biology at Fisk, with full funding support. 2. Get valuable, paid research experience. 3. Receive preparation for the GRE. 4. Get fast-track admission to the Vanderbilt PhD program, with full funding support. Physics & Astronomy Biology and Biomedical sciences Chemistry Materials science

3 Physics & Astronomy context Native Am. Black Hispanic Total Percent of all PhDs Minority PhD Recipients in Astronomy 6.0% 5.0% 4.0% 4 3.0% Order-of-magnitude issue: 30% of population 4% of PhDs 2.5% of faculty 0.5% at R-1 institutions 17 individuals in astronomy % 1.0% 0.0% Average among PhD granting institutions: 1 every 6 years in physics 1 every 11 years in astro

4 Physics & Astronomy context Other related statistics: 44% of physics/astronomy PhDs go to US citizens Physics and astronomy underproduce minority PhDs relative to other fields Timescale to achieve parity: Instant ~5x increase over current ~50% attrition of all PhDs 3% workforce turnover per year Achieve parity in years.

5 Metrics of success: Human capital Since 2004: 42 Bridge students 37 Underrepresented minorities (all US citizens) 55% female 27 students so far crossed the bridge (to Vanderbilt or institution of choice) 9 more students preparing to cross the bridge 4 students dropped out, all minorities 90% retention rate overall Since 2006: Fisk is top producer of Black MA degrees in physics, and top 10 producer of MA degrees in physics to US citizens 2009: First Bridge program PhD (now faculty at UAH) In 2011: Vanderbilt becomes top producer of minority PhDs in physics, astronomy, materials science

6 Metrics of Success: Human Capital Student Ethnicity/ Gender* Admit Year Undergraduate Institution Discipline Current Institution / Status S. Babaloloa A/M 2004 Nigeria Materials UA Huntsville (faculty) T. LeBlanc H/M 2004 UMET, Puerto Rico Astronomy Vanderbilt (NASA Fellow) J. Harrison A/M 2004 Chicago State Univ. Materials Case Western (IGERT fellow) H. Jackson A/F 2004 Fisk University Physics Wright State (USAF Co-op) J. Rigueur A/M 2004 Fisk University Physics Vanderbilt (IGERT fellow) V. Alexander A/M 2005 Florida A&M Univ. Physics Dropped out, status unknown J. Bodnarik W/F 2005 USAF Academy Astronomy Vanderbilt (NASA Co-op) M. Harrison A/F 2005 Xavier University Materials Vanderbilt (IGERT fellow) J. Isler A/F 2005 Norfolk State Univ. Astronomy Yale (NSF graduate fellow) E. Jackson A/M 2005 Norfolk State Univ. Materials Vanderbilt (IGERT fellow) J. Jones A/F 2005 Grambling State U. Materials Vanderbilt (IGERT fellow) T. Yan H/M 2005 UMET, Puerto Rico Biology Vanderbilt L. Zambrano H/F 2005 UMET, Puerto Rico Astronomy Dropped out (now at UTB) D. Foster A/M 2006 UMBC Astronomy Vanderbilt A. Ruffin A/F 2006 Tennessee State U. Physics Oak Ridge National Lab D. Campbell A/M 2006 Rhodes College Physics Vanderbilt R. Santos H/M 2006 UMET, Puerto Rico Physics Dropped out, status unknown E. Walker A/F 2006 Alabama A&M U. Materials Vanderbilt (IGERT fellow) J. Cooper A/F 2007 Rust College Biology U Chicago D. Gunther W/F 2007 Austin Peay State Materials Vanderbilt L. Palladino W/F 2007 Hofstra U. Astronomy Vanderbilt C. Mack A/M 2007 UNC Chapel Hill Astronomy Vanderbilt A. Parker A/M 2007 Austin Peay State Materials Vanderbilt E. Morgan A/F 2007 Tennessee State U. Astronomy Vanderbilt F. Bastien A/F 2008 U. Maryland Astronomy Vanderbilt F. Colazo H/M 2008 Fisk University Astronomy Gemini South L. Jean H/F 2008 U. New Hampshire Biology Vanderbilt J. Harris A/F 2008 Grambling State U. Astronomy STScI S. Lawrence A/F 2008 Clark U. Biology Vanderbilt M. Richardson A/M 2008 Fisk University Astronomy Vanderbilt S. Satchell A/F 2008 Saint Paul s U. Biology Vanderbilt S. Haynes A/F 2007 Tennessee State U. Astronomy Fisk (MS expected 2010) B. Kamai N/F 2008 U. Hawaii Astronomy Fisk (MS expected 2010) B. Cogswell A/F 2009 Florida State U. Physics Fisk (MS expected 2011) M. Williams A/M 2009 Morehouse Univ. Astronomy Fisk (MS expected 2011)

7 Metrics of Success: Human Capital

8 Metrics of success: Money $28.1M

9 Where are the minorities in science? Top 10 producers of Black physics baccalaureates are all HBCUs. Just 20 HBCUs produce 55% of Black physics baccalaureates. Future PhDs: HBCUs are the top 8, and 20 of the top 50, baccalaureate origin institutions of future African American PhDs.

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11 The opportunity in allied fields Large numbers of minority baccalaureates in physics, computer science and engineering. (see Norman et al. Astronomy Decadal white papers) ~ minority bachelors degrees in these fields per year 20% go on to Masters degree 1.5% go on to PhD On-ramps to physics/astronomy from engineering and comp sci: Instrumentation ( astro-materials ), data-intensive applications ( astro-informatics ).

12 Emerging importance of the Masters degree (see Stassun et al 2010) Between 1987 and 2006: 79% increase in number of minority institutions offering MA in physics, computer science, engineering. 533% increase in number of minorities earning MA in these fields.

13 Emerging importance of the Masters degree N=81, to 2002 Lange (2006) Underrepresented minorities ~50% more likely to earn Masters en route to PhD. More institutional transitions, with less guidance.

14 Masters-to-PhD Bridge Program Program requirements and benefits: Joint advisors Requirement of core courses taken at Vanderbilt Masters degree requirements: Classical Mechanics, Quantum I, E&M I, Stat Mech, Electives PhD degree requirements: Above, plus E&M II and Quantum II (physics) or Stars, Galaxies, Radiative Processes (astronomy), Electives Requirement of Masters research thesis with Fisk and Vanderbilt faculty Professionalization Seminar on hidden aspects of academic research culture, participate in professional meetings, Bridge Club Note: Not a back door : Must satisfy same requirements as all PhD students.

15 Masters-to-PhD Bridge Program Key considerations: Theory behind the program (in partnership with Columbia University Center for Institutional and Social Change) Focus on facilitating transition through mentor/mentee relationships and faculty-to-faculty handoffs. Research based institutional partnerships. Truly recruit. Scout for talent. Focus on unrealized or unrecognized potential. Take risks. Erect scaffolds of support to ensure success. Monitor second derivative of student performance. Tap into and connect with the broader community. Leverage professional and social networks.

16 Identifying Unrealized Potential What roles are we looking for? Commitment and academic potential Productive, creative, entrepreneurial researchers Effective teachers and mentors Transformational leadership What qualities predict success? Passion, initiative, fire in the belly, hard work Success in relevant courses Ability in the laboratory Persistence in the face of hardship (the P in PhD) Entrepreneurial spirit A critical next step: Tracking and systematizing Bridge Program selection practices

17 Engaging the second tier One-third of all STEM PhDs to minorities produced by 39 institutions: A few MSIs offering PhDs (e.g. Howard University, University of Puerto Rico) Top-tier graduate schools (e.g. Michigan, Berkeley, Harvard) Third-tier programs may not be prime for change

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19 Engaging the second tier One-third of all STEM PhDs to minorities produced by 39 institutions: A few MSIs offering PhDs (e.g. Howard University, University of Puerto Rico) Top-tier graduate schools (e.g. Michigan, Berkeley, Harvard) Third-tier programs may not be prime for change Second-tier programs such as Vanderbilt s may have the right combination of factors to permit effective leadership.

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