Gulf States Math Alliance

Our Goals

1. Work closely with the National Math Alliance with the ultimate goal of substantially increasing the annual Ph.D. production in the mathematical sciences for under-represented groups (e.g., ethnic minorities, women, first-generation college students) within the next five years.
2. Build a regional community that will help students make critical transitions (e.g., high school to postsecondary education, community college to a four-year college, college to graduate school) in the mathematical sciences. This will be done by establishing a strong network of faculty in key institutions and gradually spreading the network to more institutions. These faculty members will work together to recruit new students each year from regional high schools and regional community colleges, and such efforts, although individually modest, will have a snowball effect. The National Math Alliance already has a strong network of undergraduate mentors from the key institutions in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. GSMath will coordinate these efforts and will also work closely with the National Math Alliance to help interested students pursue and graduate studies in the mathematical sciences.
3. Facilitate efforts among the regional institutions so that their students can be involved in undergraduate research experiences. GSMath will help to provide infrastructure and support and to bring the working parties together.
4. Build a community in the Gulf States region. The targeted student population will be those having little contact with institutions offering graduate studies in the mathematical sciences. We expect that about 80% of such students will be under-represented minorities. We will target students in all mathematical sciences and math education, except for those students whose stated goal is to teach at the secondary level.
5. Provide support and resources for alliance members. This will include recruiting new mentors and institutional members, strengthening collaboration among existing members, and expanding opportunities for faculty and student members.