APS Bridge Program: Changing the Face of Physics Graduate Education

In nearly every science, math, and engineering field there is a significant falloff in participation by underrepresented minority (URM) students who fail to make the transition between undergraduate and graduate studies.The American Physical Society (APS) has realized that a professional society can erase this gap by acting as a national recruiter of URM physics students and connecting these individuals with graduate programs that are eager to a) attract motivated students to their program, b) increase domestic student participation, and c) improve the diversity of their program. Now in its fifth year the APS has placed enough students into graduate programs nationwide to effectively eliminate this achievement gap.The program has low costs, is popular among graduate programs, and has inspired other departments to adopt practices that improve graduate admissions, student retention, and practices for all students. This presentation will review project activities, present data that demonstrate effectiveness, and discuss future actions.