The National Science Foundation (NSF) logo
On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) proudly celebrated and welcomed the induction of fifty-five (55) accomplished WPI undergraduate students into the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Scholar Program for the 2023-2024 academic year.
This marks the largest inductee cohort in WPI’s LSAMP history, bringing the total program participation to seventy-four (74) scholars. The occasion was further enriched by insightful remarks from our academic deans, including Mimi Sheller, Dean of the Global School, and Rev. Dr. Deborah Jackson, Dean of the Business School, Arne Gericke, Dean of Undergraduate Studies, and John McNeill, Dean of Engineering.
The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Scholar Program, named in honor of former congressman Louis Stokes, is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded program intended to support historically underrepresented students in the STEM fields. Enrollment in the program is reserved for a select and highly committed group of students with a declared major in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and pre-health professions.
“Working with students at WPI is amazing. I am especially excited to work with the LSAMP program scholars through their journey at WPI and graduate school planning and enrollment to ultimately succeed in their future careers, wherever that may take them.”
–Jeannine Coburn, Associate Professor in Biomedical Engineering
As newly admitted participants in the program, these scholars will have the opportunity to access funding to enhance their educational experience, engage in professional development and research, receive guidance and mentorship from both experienced professionals and peers, receive training in formulating a comprehensive research agenda, take part in supervised research projects and initiatives, and receive support and guidance in their pursuit of graduate education.
“LSAMP is instrumental not only in the way that it empowers our students to embark on STEM careers, but also ensures they thrive along the way. I am so appreciative to be a part of an impactful initiative that cultivates community, enriches students’ educational journeys, and exemplifies the need for diversity in STEM spaces. I am proud to be a champion of our visionary trailblazers and contribute to a program that is paving the way for a more inclusive and promising future.”
–Alesia LeSane, Assistant Director, Multicultural Education and Student Success
Led by Catherine Whittington, Assistant Professor in Biomedical Engineering and WPI LSAMP Principal Investigator (PI), Jeannine Coburn, Associate Professor in Biomedical Engineering and WPI LSAMP Co-PI, Alesia LeSane, Assistant Director of Multicultural Education and Student Success, and Arnold Lane, Jr., Director of Multicultural Education and Community Engagement with support from the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME), the program aims to enhance the lives of these scholars as they pursue their respective professional endeavors in STEM.
“It was great to see such a large number of inductees this year representing majors from all over campus. These students are already thinking about what it will take to get to the next stages of their academic and professional careers, and we’re excited to provide resources and opportunities to support them.”
–Catherine Whittington, Assistant Professor in Biomedical Engineering
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to our accomplished scholars and send them our best wishes for success not only in the academic year ahead but also in all their future endeavors.
The 2023-2024 LSAMP Scholar Program experience is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Teradyne, Inc., Collins Aerospace, and the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME). WPI's LSAMP is an integral member of the Northeastern Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (NELSAMP) network.
WPI's LSAMP Scholar Support Team can be reached at gr-lsamp@wpi.edu. To learn more about WPI's LSAMP participation, please visit:
- WPI Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (Academic Year 2022 – 2023 Narrative Report)
- LSAMP Scholar Program
2023-2024 LSAMP Scholar Program Inductees
Sultan Adedeji ’24 – Computer Science
Ronnie Amoah ’26 – Biomedical Engineering
Joan Amuasi ’27 – Architectural Engineering
Reily Armenta ’27 – Robotic Engineering
Amin Badmos ’25 – Biomedical Engineering
Sebastian Batista-Valoy ’26 – Environmental Engineering
Darren Belizaire ’26 – Biomedical Engineering
Asha Buchanan ’26 – Computer Science
Alan Carias ‘26 – Mechanical engineering
Estefania Contreras Rivas ‘26 – Aerospace Engineering + Environmental Science and Sustainable Studies
Taniya Crosby ‘25 – Mechanical engineering
Leithsa Dimanche ‘24 – Biomedical Engineering
Maya Dixon ‘27 – Physics
Alexis Estime ‘27 – Biochemistry
Jazmyn Ewing ‘24 – Biomedical Engineering
Tiffany Foote ‘24 – Biomedical Engineering, Professional Writing
Cameron Gleaton ‘27 – Electrical Engineering
Angela Hernandez ‘27 – Computer Science and Robotics Engineering
Sim Hoffler, Jr. ‘25 – Mechanical Engineering
Xavier Horta ‘27 – Robotics
Madeline Jaszek ‘27 – Biochemistry
John Kenney ‘27 – Management Engineering
Joshua Konadu ‘26 – Mechanical Engineering
Alexse LaGuerre ‘25 – Management Information Systems
Marco Legros ‘25 – Architectural Engineering
Samuel Levitan ‘24 – Biology and Biotechnology
Andrea Malaver ‘27 – Biomedical Engineering
Mia Mercado Rodriguez ‘27 – Biomedical Engineering
Andrew Mesa ‘25 – Computer Science, Data Science
Chauncey Michael ‘26 – Chemical Engineering
Javier Moncada ‘26 – Computer Science
Prince Nanakobi Jr ‘27 – Computer Science
Larissa Nogueira Gomes ‘26 – Biology and Biotechnology
Christian North ‘27 – Aerospace Engineering
Paris Ojuma ‘26 – Biomedical Engineering
Noah Omordia ‘26 – Physics
Marvin Orozco ‘26 – Electrical and Computer Engineering
Ravyn Rapley ‘24 – Civil Engineering
Jessica Rhodes ‘25 – Robotics Engineering
Kobe Richards ‘25 – Data Science
Laura Rodriguez ‘26 – Mechanical Engineering
Thomas Rua ‘24 – Electrical and Computer Engineering
Nathaniel Sanchez ‘27 – Aerospace Engineering
Emiliano Sola ‘25 – Biomedical Engineering
Andrew Soryal ‘27 – Electrical and Computer Engineering
Nigel St Jean ‘26 – Environmental Engineering, Environmental and Sustainable Studies
Theddy Sterling ‘27 – Aerospace Engineering
Jerson Suarez ‘27 – Electrical and Computer Engineering
Caleb Talley ‘24 – Computer Science
Walter Tamajong ‘26 – Mechanical Engineering
Komlavi Touglo ‘24 – Biology and Biotechnology
Dreivone Townsend ‘24 – Architectural Engineering
Joelis Velez Diaz ‘24 – Chemical Engineering
Tay Yusuf ‘27 – Computer Science
Michael Zamora ‘26 – Chemical Engineering
The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) promotes and oversees all student facing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) learning experiences, programs, services, trainings, and initiatives for WPI.