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LA-STEM PROGRAM: STEM SUCCESS MODEL 589

CONCLUSION ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Although the last cohort of LA-STEM Scholars The authors would like to acknowledge the 249
began in 2012 and monetary support concluded in LA-STEM Participants for their commitment to
2014, the successes of the program are still being changing the faces of STEM and serving as role
realized, as former LA-STEM participants have been models to future generations of aspiring STEM
completing advanced degrees and are establishing leaders. It is on your shoulders that they will stand.
successful careers. LA-STEM has served as a great We would also like to thank the National Science
equalizer, leveling the STEM playing field for Loui- Foundation, Research Corporation, the Louisiana
siana natives (constituting 90% of the participants), Board of Regents, and LSU (administration, faculty,
who have been able to compete globally and emerge and staff) for generously supporting this project.
as STEM leaders within industry, academia, and
governmental sectors. Many of these students are REFERENCES
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