Colorado State University (CSU) and Fort Lewis College (FLC), in partnership with regional universities, colleges, community colleges, tribal councils, government and industry have formed the Colorado Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (CO-AMP). CO-AMP is a 15 year project, funded under the NSF Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program to serve Colorado and the Four Corners region.The primary goal of CO-AMP is to at least double the number of underrepresented students successfully completing baccalaureate degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in Colorado and the Four Corners Region.

CO-AMP builds upon the momentum and track record that has been established at Colorado State University and the CO-AMP partner institutions through several successful ongoing programs that encourage underrepresented students in all areas of education and at all levels from kindergarten through graduate school.

The project encourages African American, Hispanic, and American Indian and Pacific Islander students to pursue baccalaureate degrees specifically in the STEM disciplines to complete such degrees, and to enter the work force or pursue graduate study.

CO-AMP sponsors many different activities and events on the various campuses that support and retain students as they pursue their B.S. degrees.  These range from Summer Bridge programs for entering freshmen, giving them a taste of college life to tutoring and mentoring assistance, summer research opportunities, faculty diversity workshops, internships in industry, and scholarships.  In addition to the recruitment and retention programs, CO-AMP in its second phase is expanding its activities to conduct pre-college summer outreach activities to interest and motivate middle and high school students to consider college and pursue STEM degrees. We are extremely excited about the new supplement, "Bridge to the Doctorate" program. Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) provides financial support to 12 AMP students to make graduate school feasible. The BD also builds infrastructure and community within a welcoming social and professional network in STEM disciplines. We are also excited about the Colorado AGEP/PEAKS Alliance, formed between Colorado State University and the University of Colorado at Boulder. This graduate initiative funded by NSF under the Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professor (AGEP/PEAKS) will enhance and improve the way underrepresented doctoral students are recruited, retained and graduated in Colorado. CO-AMP and AGEP/PEAKS Alliances are working collaboratively to place underrepresented students in graduate school and obtain doctoral degrees. All of these and many more opportunities are designed to provide the motivation and inspiration students need to be successful, with each campus designing its activities and programs to suit its own students.  This page includes linkages to provide information about the CO-AMP programs and activities at the various collaborative colleges and universities, and many other CO-AMP partners. 

CO-AMP has constructed and operated "Two-Ended Bridges: ...academic and cultural bridges that are created between and among institutions that are firmly supported by the institutions.  The faculty and mentors creating the bridges have identified and recruited underrepresented students who wish to enter baccalaureate STEM programs, provide needed academic and cultural support throughout a student's higher education career, and provide encouragement during the transition to a career in industry or graduate study.  The bridges operate in close coordination with effective retention programs within the CO-AMP higher education institutions. Thereby, a network of bridges has been established with connections between K-12, community colleges and/or 4-year colleges or universities through the completion of a baccalaureate degree in STEM and the connecting to an industrial career or graduate study." 

A continuing goal of CO-AMP's is to institutionalize and continue the bridge programs after the NSF funds expire by linking the resources of the public and private sectors through a structured funding and program development strategy. The anticipated success of collaboration and programs of CO-AMP is the primary driver for continuation of financial and programmatic support after the NSF funds have phased out.

Our Mission:

• to substantially increase the quantity (the number of students graduating) and the quality of education for underrepresented students receiving baccalaureate degrees in Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Technology. 
• to increase the number of underrepresented students entering graduate schools to attain a doctorate. 

• Improve undergraduate STEM education to achieve a demonstrated increase in the number of underrepresented students receiving undergraduate STEM degrees.
• Establish partnerships among community colleges, colleges and universities, school systems, government agencies, national STEM laboratories, industry, private foundations, and STEM professional organizations, to achieve the AMP objectives. 
• Develop an infrastructure and management plan among participating institutions to ensure long-term continuation of AMP activities. 
• Develop specific evaluation plans and procedures for assessing both qualitative and quantitative changes. 

• To collaborate among colleges, universities, industry, professional organizations, government laboratories, and tribal councils for the benefit of underrepresented students.  
• To build and to institutionalize programs that will dramatically increase underrepresented enrollment and graduation rates, allowing the achievement of unity through diversity, and benefit all underrepresented students. 
• To foster partnerships and strong interactions that facilitates the transition bridge from community colleges to four-year colleges and universities, thereby increasing the number of underrepresented student graduates.  
• To provide the opportunity and the support structure needed for underrepresented students to succeed in higher education.  To ensure a commitment that the momentum gained through the CO-AMP activities will continue beyond the NSF cooperative agreement. 

1. Bridge Programs
         Academic activities (content enhancement) 
         Life Skills: Student Success Programs
2. Recruitment
         Road Shows and Community Awareness 
         School Visits and Advising 
         AISES, SHPE, SACNAS, and Other Programs 
3. Retention
         Academic Excellence Workshops 
         Curricular Support Activities 
4. Scholarships 
5. Undergraduate Research

Although CO-AMP is currently striving to meet the following goals and objectives, we are only able to meet the basic financial needs of each participating institution.  Additional funding allows us to further....
 

• Increase the numbers of baccalaureate degrees earned by diverse students in STEM disciplines. 
• Increase the number of transfer students from two community colleges to four year universities and colleges. 
• Increase the number of activities and programs to enhance educational excellence. 
• Improve the quality of educational experience of Colorado's diverse student populations. 
• Foster strong interaction between higher education, industry, government agencies, professional organizations, tribal councils, and diverse community organizations. 
• Increase the number of faculty, and tribal and community members participating in CO-AMP activities and programs. 
• Institutionalize the activities and programs to ensure commitment at the administrative level at each participating institution. 
• Build infrastructure and effective programs that will continue after NSF funding expires.
• Increase the number of future institutions interested in participating in CO-AMP activities and programs. 
• Investing in the economy and in the human capital at the state level.