Broader Impact Actualized: Collaborative Efforts That Facilitate Successful Movement of Underrepresented Students through the Pipeline

The Minorities Striving and Pursuing Higher Degrees of Success in Earth System Science Professional Development Program (MS PHD'S) was established by and for underrepresented minorities to facilitate increased and sustained participation within the Earth system science community. The MS PHD'S incorporates a team mentoring structure. Student interaction with multiple mentors results in exposure to learning perspectives and increased mentee/mentor interaction. Fourteen (14) minority Earth system scientists served as Program Mentors and one-hundred fifteen (115) minority and non-minority scientists served as Meeting Mentors to student participants. Representatives from fifty-six (56) agencies and institutions provided support and exposure to MS PHD'S student participants.

Two hundred fifty-eight (258) highly qualified students from underrepresented populations within Earth system science completed on-line applications to participate in the MS PHD'S Professional Development Program. Because of funding limitations, slightly less than 50% of the applicants were selectd to participate. One-hundred twenty-six (126) undergraduate and graduate students from underrepresented populations have participated in the MS PHD'S program. Sixty-eight (68) MS PHD'S student participants self-identified as African American; thirty-four (34) as Puerto Rican; nine (9) as Hispanic/Mexican American, ten (10) as Native American and one (1) each as African, Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic and Multi-ethnic.

During the five (5) year span of MS PHD'S programming, sixteeen (16) student participants completed BS degrees, twelve (12) completed MS degrees and ten (10) completed the Doctoral degrees.

How did MS PHD'S establish meaningful engagement of the science community to enhance diversity within the Earth system science community? This case study reveals replicable processes and constructs to enhance the quality of meaningful collaboration and engagement. In addition, the study addresses frequently asked questions (FAQ's) on outreach, recruitment, engagement, retention and success of students from underrepresented populations within diversity-focused programs.