UCLA AGEP - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the National Science Foundation (NSF) Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP)?

The Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) program is intended to increase significantly the number of domestic students receiving doctoral degrees in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), with special emphasis on those population groups underrepresented in these fields (i.e., African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders). In addition, AGEP is particularly interested in increasing the number of minorities who will enter the professoriate in these disciplines. Specific objectives of the AGEP program are (1) to develop and implement innovative models for recruiting, mentoring and retaining minority students in STEM doctoral programs and (2) to develop effective strategies for identifying and supporting underrepresented minorities who want to pursue academic careers. Find out more about NSF AGEP.

What is UC AGEP?

Funded by the NSF, the University of California's Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (UC AGEP) is a partnership among the ten campuses of the University of California to increase the number of underrepresented minority (URM) students who acquire doctorates in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and enter the professoriate.

To achieve this goal, UC AGEP has created a structured series of program initiatives that span the pathway to the professoriate from graduate school academic preparation, recruitment and admission to success in graduate school and in the acquisition of postdoctoral and professoriate positions. A series of strategic, targeted methods, relative to the individualized campus climate, include:

Summer enrichment opportunities for undergraduate, master's and doctoral students
Pre-application events
Partnerships with Minority Serving Institutions which include Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), California State Universities (CSU), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU)
Targeted interactions with admissions committees
Increased campus visitations
Increased networking opportunities
Improved faculty mentoring
Professional and academic skills workshops
Creation of new models for increasing URM access to and participation in postdoctoral scholar positions, ensuring competitiveness for academic positions

Find out more about UC AGEP.

Why UC?

Located in a beautiful and ethnically diverse state, the University of California is one of the largest and most acclaimed institutions of higher learning in the world. The University of California's dedication to excellence in teaching, research and public service is demonstrated through its unique record of accomplishment:

Faculty and researchers affiliated with the University of California have won 49 Nobel Prizes, 17 of them in the past 10 years, and three of those in 2004.
UC scientists and engineers have been elected to the National Academy of Science, the National Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Medicine a total of 589 times.
UC scientists have won the National Medal of Science 44 times (the highest honor for lifetime achievement in science in the United States).

Why UCLA?

UCLA is world-renowned for its faculty and student research programs, ranking first among the UC campuses in both the number and dollar amount of research awards received. Situated in one of the world's most culturally diverse cities, the campus is home to the largest UC graduate student body.

What is UCLA AGEP-PLEDGE?

UCLA AGEP-Providing Leadership & Enhancing Diversity in Graduate Education (PLEDGE) is here to assist interested URM undergraduates and master's students prepare their portfolios (statement of purpose and resume/curriculum vita) for their successful application to UCLA's STEM graduate programs. These initiatives are facilitated by a Program Director who mentors URM STEM students in their academic and professional success and assists departments in recruitment, funding, mentoring and matriculation.

What is a URM?

URM is an acronym for Underrepresented Minority students. To be eligible students must be a URM in the doctoral fields of STEM as defined by the NSF: (African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders).

What is STEM?

STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

What is an MSI?

MSI is an acronym for Minority-Serving Institutions: HBCU, CSU, HSI and TCU.

What is an HBCU?

HBCU is an acronym for Historically Black College and Universities. To find out more about HBCU visit U.S. Department Education.

What is a CSU?

CSU is an acronym for the California State Universities.

What is an HSI?

HSI is an acronym for Hispanic Serving Institutions. To find out more about HSI visit U.S. Department Education.

What is a TCU?

TCU is an acronym for Tribal Colleges and Universities. To find out more about TCU visit U.S. Department Education.

How can my campus become a Partner Institution?

Visit become a partner institution or email the Program Director at htarleton@gdnet.ucla.edu.

How can UCLA AGEP-PLEDGE help me?

UCLA AGEP-PLEDGE mentors work with URM undergraduates interested in obtaining a PhD in the STEM fields.

How can I learn more about the graduate student group STEM-PLEDGE?

Visit the STEM-PLEDGE website for more information!

Is UCLA AGEP just for graduate students?

No, undergraduates are encouraged to apply for the UCLA-AGEP Summer Research Scholars Program.

If I'm not enrolled at UCLA can I still use UCLA AGEP resources?

URM students who have attended a UCLA AGEP workshop and are applying to UCLA PhD programs will be given priority. See Applying to Graduate School for more information.

Who is eligible for UCLA AGEP?

All students who are interested in diversity are welcome to participate. However, funding falls under the purview of the NSF and is restricted to URM students in the STEM fields.