Stretching Horizons:

Upward Bound Programs in Stimulating Information Technology education and Career Aspiration among Underrepresented Minorities

Professors Dr. Russell Stockard, Dr. Myungsook Klassen, and Dr. Ali Akbari at California Lutheran University have received a $200,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to research why minorities and women are severly underrepresented in information technology careers. The funding is for two years starting Oct 1, 2001. Akbari, Klassen, and Stockard will focus their research on why so few male and female African American and latino/Latina students are studying computer science at the college level. We will specifically research the experience, opportunities, attitudes, and aspirations with respect to mathematics,science, computer science, and information technology of underrepresented students in the federally funded Upward Bound and Math/Science Upward Bound programs. Besides comparing the experiences afforded students by the two versions of Upward Bound, the team will compare these experiences and opportunities with those of students in non Upward Bound high schools.