2016/02/24 by Benjamin E. Cuker, Clarisse Haxton, Carmen Martinez +1 · 2 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Engineering · Medicine · Social Sciences · #Anthropology #Career Development and Diversity #Diverse Educational Innovations Studies #Diversity (politics) #Engineering #Ethnic group #Graduate students #Library science #Medical education #Medicine #Multicultural education #Multiculturalism #Pacific islanders #Pedagogy #Political science #Sociology #TRIPS architecture #Underrepresented Minority
paper · pdf · doi:10.1093/biosci/biw001
openalex publication_date 2016/02/24 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
In 1990, The Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) implemented the ASLO Multicultural Program (ASLOMP) to recruit and retain underrepresented students in the aquatic sciences. ASLOMP uses ASLO's annual meetings to support 65 to 80 students to participate in a multifaceted program that includes field trips, special student-symposium, and a system of meeting-mentors to help students navigate the conference and engage with ASLO's community. During the first 25 years, 890 students from 215 different colleges and universities participated. Participants were diverse: 70% undergraduates, 67% female, 50% African American, 35% Hispanic, 7% Native American, 6% Pacific Islanders, 1% white. Almost all participants earned a BS and 59% earned graduate degrees. About half (49%) held jobs that used at least some aquatic science and 24% found employment in other STEM fields. Two participants won election to ASLO leadership positions. The program provides a tested model for other scientific societies.