West Virginia University is joining forces with nine universities in West Virginia and Kentucky to increase minority student enrollment and retention in the fields of math, science, engineering and technology.

The universities have formed the Kentucky-West Virginia Alliance for Minority Participation, higher education officials announced today (Aug. 15) at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.

The goal is to develop effective strategies that will result in the doubling of degrees awarded to minority undergraduate students in these areas in both states over five years, according to WVU Provost Gerald Lang, who joined officials at the UK announcement.

The joint program will enable alliance members to share information and strategies in recruiting, training and steering outstanding minority students into studies and careers in math and science, he said.

We at West Virginia University are proud and excited to be involved in the alliance, WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr. said.We have been working hard to increase the number of minority students who enroll at WVU both because we believe a diverse educational community promotes learning for all students and because we believe WVU has much to offer students of all races.

We support this program because, as future scientists and engineers, the students helped by this program will incalculably enrich our nation and world,Hardesty added.

The program is funded by the National Science Foundation under the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation. A $2.4 million grant will be divided to fund specific initiatives by the member institutions.

Participating are WVU , Marshall University, West Virginia State University, the West Virginia State Community and Technical College, University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, Centre College, Kentucky State University, Western Kentucky University and the Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Kentucky.

Each university will focus on recruitment and retention strategies, opportunities for research experiences, transitional experiences, campus climate, curriculum reform, programs to encourage postgraduate career aspirations and networking opportunities with role models.

Brian Noland, chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, and Paul Hill, executive director of the West Virginia Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, also attended todays announcement in Lexington.

I am enthusiastic about this alliance with Kentucky and the opportunity for the institutions of both our states to build a diversified educational community and enhance opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at all levels,Noland said.The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation has a proven track record for accomplishing this goal.