Success Story

Through leadership, recruitment, and networking, Louisiana State University (LSU) has made strides over the past decade to increase the number of African-American Ph.D. students in chemistry. By the early 1990s, only a handful of African-Americans have earned a Ph.D. in chemistry at LSU—even though about one-third of Louisiana residents are African-American. Soon, however, things began to change.

The faculty shifted its graduate recruitment away from foreign students and instead began recruiting students from nearby historically black colleges and universities. One professor was a catalyst for change by growing minority participation in the chemistry graduate program. Isiah Warner—an African-American Ph.D. chemist—joined the department in 1992. Not only did Warner bring students with him from Emory University, where he had previously taught, but also his presence and stature inspired a number of applications from the African-American community that continues to this day. His approach eventually became department-wide; now all faculty members play a critical role in the diversity initiative at LSU.

Steven Watkins, Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Chemistry, who has been at LSU for more than 35 years, said that the department has made a conscious effort to recruit African-Americans. "All of a sudden it was a lot easier to talk to students at historically black colleges because Dr. Warner was the attraction," says Watkins.

The program has experienced exponential growth. By 1995, the number of African-Americans in the chemistry department was about 30 students and has been self-sustaining ever since, mostly by word of mouth. Over time, the campus has developed a strong network for students. Organizations such as the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers provide resources for information and activities, further empowering underrepresented groups to enhance their experience at LSU.

The chemistry department has been one of the most successful in achieving diversity at LSU, Watkins says. "In a large part that’s because we have a very prestigious minority faculty member who has been a great draw and a great spokesman for LSU. Within a decade, LSU went from producing only a handful of African-American Ph.D. chemists in the entire history of the university to producing more African-American Ph.D. chemists than any other university in the United States."

Recruiting graduate students to LSU is almost entirely self-sustaining since current minority students help attract prospective minority students. The close proximity to a number of excellent schools has helped expand the program, as has the reputation of LSU. Faculty members and current students visit these schools to speak about the chemistry department. Potential students are also invited to visit LSU to see how diverse the campus is.

In terms of academics, LSU emphasizes GPAs, letters of reference, and personal interviews over GRE scores. The school believes that it is more important to know how students have performed, how they have interacted with others academically, and what research experiences they have had.

Finally, the employability of LSU graduate students attracts graduate students to LSU. Every African-American Ph.D. graduate during the past decade has received numerous lucrative job offers, and every African-American applicant to LSU is made aware of this fact. Industrial labs such as Dow and Procter & Gamble visit LSU to interview students.

Retention of African-American students at LSU is due to a number of factors, including a large peer group and African-American faculty and staff serving as mentors, counselors, and role models for students. The enthusiastic support of the faculty helps students feel more comfortable and contributes to their sense of belonging. The Office of Minority Affairs, the African-American Cultural Center, the Black Graduate Students Council, and other groups are an active part of campus life, providing information and activities for students. With popularity of these organizations increasing in recent years, the campus has developed a strong network for African-American students.

The LSU chemistry department invites representatives from national government laboratories and industry to speak to students about careers in these areas. Beyond that, there is no formal career development program for graduate students other than graduate research experience itself.

The diversity program is measured by tracking the retention rate and number of degrees earned. Most graduates go on postdoctoral positions, while some accept industrial jobs. LSU is attempting to track student progress in the long term.