Finalist

Math Jam students:

• Completed the last course in the pre-collegiate math sequence (Intermediate Algebra, Math 131) more than two and a half times faster than students not in the program by the end of seven terms.
• Completed Math 131 and English 1A (Freshman Composition) more than twice as fast as the comparison group by the end of seven terms.
• Among Math Jam students, a mixed-model ANOVA conducted in 2011 found an increased sense of self and enjoyment of mathematics and reduced mathematics anxiety.
• Completed their first semester of math with improved attitudes towards mathematics.
• Were better positioned to succeed in math than a comparable PCC math student.

• Positive enrollment trends (e.g., overall enrollment increased 72%; Hispanic/Latino students accounted for 92% of the increase, female students accounted for 30% of increase
• Transfer-level math enrollment increased 20.0% in 2010-11, as compared to the baseline year 2007-08 -Hispanic/Latino students accounted for 82% of increased Math enrollment in 2010-11 -Female students accounted for 33% of increased Math enrollment in 2010-11 -Fall 2009-to-Fall 2010 persistence rate of 29%
• Increased number of AA degrees conferred in each year of the program
• Overall STEM transfers to the UC and CSU systems increased 60% in 2009-10
• More than 28 STEM courses were revised/developed based on environmental and technological trends
• Multiple articulation agreements between ELAC and universities in the CSU and the UC systems were completed, while additional agreements are forthcoming
• For the third year, the Summer Science Academy strengthened the bridge between local high schools and ELAC STEM programs.

Since 1997, the Department has provided summer research opportunities to 25 Latinos until 2010 - two more students are coming in summer 2011. Eleven (11) of them have gone to graduate school to pursue advanced degrees and three (3) went to graduate school. At the graduate level, the Department has seen 20 students entering our Chemistry program; five have obtained the Masters degree and one more is expected this year; 10 have obtained the PhD degree and four (4) more should be granted within the next 2-3 years. At the graduate level, 12 (10 PhDs and 4 Masters) advanced degrees have been granted since 1999. Five (5) more (one Masters and 4 PhDs) are expected within the next 2-3 yrs. It is important to note that all students who have entered our graduate program have obtained an advanced degree. This is a dramatic contrast to no representation at all in 1993! At the undergraduate level, about 56% (14 out of 25) of the Latino students who participated in the summer experience have gone to advanced careers (11 to grad school, 3 med school).

The program has graduated a total of 20 Ph.D.s, 12 of them, or 60%, being Latina/o students. Of current doctoral candidates, 46% are Latina/o; of all currently enrolled 52% are Latina/o.

Eighty-five percent of dissertations are in Latina/o studies. Most students complete a service-learning component in programs at community grassroots organizations. They also have the opportunity to teach courses in Mexican American and multi-ethnic literatures as well as in women's studies and queer studies.

The students are engaged in research that is already shaping the scholarship in the field of Latina/o studies. Their publications and presentations at professional national conferences such as NACCS, ASA, MLA, and CCCC demonstrate that their work is of the highest caliber. They have taken tenure track jobs at a variety of institutions of higher education.