To Attract, Engage, Mentor and Sustain: Outcomes from the Minority Students Pursuing Higher Degrees of Success (MSPHD'S) in Earth System Science® Pilot Project

Abstract

The goal of Minority Students Pursuing Higher Degrees of Success (MS PHD'S) in Earth System Science® is to attract, engage, mentor and sustain the involvement of undergraduate and graduate minority students within the Earth system science disciplines. The pilot project for this new initiative, entitled the MSPHD'S in Ocean Sciences Program, provided yearlong opportunities for mentor/mentee engagement via academic, scientific and professional development activities. The 2003–2004 MSPHD'S in Ocean Sciences Program facilitated the involvement of 25 mentor-mentee partnerships during the May 5–8, 2003, Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS) Program Open Science Meeting in Washington, D.C. MS PHD'S students received in-depth exposure to leading edge ocean science research, mentoring support from scientists responsible for these advancements, and insight into future marine research initiatives. Evaluation data for this pilot project indicate that virtual and face-to-face mentoring, on-site professional development and community-building activities resulted in increased participant exposure to and engagement in the Earth system science professional community and served to better equip student participants to make informed post-baccalaureate academic and professional career decisions.