2023 MATC Scholars Program: Program Overview

Dr. Judy A. Perkins' gives an overview of the 2023 MATC Scholars program.

1. Mid-American Transportation Center (MATC) Scholars Program Overview Dr. Judy A. Perkins, PE Professor & TAMU Regents Professor MATC Scholars Program March 15 – 18, 2023 University of Nebraska-Lincoln

2. OUTLINE History Original Theme and Purpose Mission and Goal of MATC Scholars Program Goal of MATC Scholars Conference Executing MATC Scholars Conferences Inaugural Conference in 2010 2012 Conference

3. OUTLINE 2015 Conference 2017 Conference 2021 Conference 2023 Conference Expectations Conclusions

4. History Dr. Stephanie Adams introduced the idea of “an encouragement and transition conference for underrepresented groups considering graduate school in STEM” to Dr. Laurence Rilett as an important theme for the Mid-American Transportation Center (MATC ). Dr. Rillet then met with Dr. Jones (at UNL in 2010) and Dr. Perkins to propose on how this program could become a reality and benefit students the most. The team formed a planning conference in Spring 2010 and brought together an exciting team of committed faculty. The first MATC Scholars Conference took place on September 24-26 th , 2010.

5. Original Theme and Purpose In the past, there has not been adequate consideration of the difficulties that minorities, and often first generation students encounter in their pursuit of higher education. But with this undertaking, we hope to work toward addressing that issue. We have taken great care to select faculty participants who have experienced the challenges of pursuing graduate studies at doctoral/research universities that engaged in extensive research activities and have the desire to work with diverse, underrepresented minority students who are interested in pursuing graduate school.

6. MISSION AND GOAL OF MATC SCHOLARS PROGRAM The mission of the MATC Scholars Program is to recruit and retain students in transportation. The goal of the MATC Scholars Program is to promote graduate study among under-represented minorities and women in the STEM fields with a special focus on doctoral-granting and research intensive institutions.

7. GOAL OF MATC SCHOLARS CONFERENCE Encouraging and preparing undergraduate students to select and enter graduate programs in STEM fields Supporting diversity in transportation by providing guidance in this process to students in underrepresented groups The MATC Scholars Program Graduate Conference seeks to prepare the next generation of the transportation workforce by…

8. EXECUTING MATC SCHOLARS CONFERENCES A cadre of 8 faculty & 1 consultant representing 8 universities were chosen for their own experiences in underrepresented groups and at research-intensive institutions to design a conference to meet the unique needs of underrepresented students as well as encourage diversity in the transportation field. Provide specific, targeted seminars to improve the performance, recruitment, and retention of under-represented students into STEM-related fields. Select students to attend based on their expressed interest in pursuing an advanced degree as well as coursework in STEM fields.

9. INAUGURAL CONFERENCE IN 2010 14 Student Participants 8 Faculty Participants 4 HBCUs

10. 2012 CONFERENCE 33 Student Participants 11 Faculty Participants 5 Universities (HBCUs & HSIs)

11. 2015 CONFERENCE 32 Student Participants 10 Faculty Participants 6 Universities (HBCUs & HSIs)

12. 2017 CONFERENCE 33 Student Participants 7 Faculty Participants 7 Universities

13. First virtual conference covering a 3-week period 93 total registered 2021 Scholars Conference

14. First time participants from Nebraska Indian Community College, South Carolina State University, and Tuskegee University Students - 35 Undergraduate & 19 Graduate HBCUs, HSIs, MSIs, & Region 7 Institutions 2021 Scholars Conference

15. 2023 is your year Your part Pay attention Ask questions Network Provide feedback Stay in touch Have Fun – Not too much Expectations for 2023 Scholars Conference 2010 2021

16. CONCLUSIONS Thank you for accepting the invitation to participate in this worthy venture. I believe we can make a difference. Take advantage of the opportunity afforded you. Here’s my text message to you - “What U get out of this conference = 2 what U put n 2 it”

17. Slide design © 2009, Mid-America Transportation Center. All rights reserved. CREDITS Dr . Judy A. Perkins, PE Professor & TAMU Regents Professor Prairie View A&M University Civil & Environmental Engineering Department P.O. Box 519, Mail Stop #2510 Prairie View, TX 77446 [email protected]