Alpha Center

Mission Statement

The Alpha Center serves as a conduit for establishing collaborative partnerships between educational institutions, community organizations and businesses for the purpose of developing trusting relationships which can be sustained over time so that stakeholders are positioned to seize programmatic opportunities to improve access to high quality academic preparation across the Inland Empire region, particularly for students from underrepresented and underserved populations.

Diversity Activities

CHAMP (Climbing Higher with the Academy for Mathematics Performance)
CHAMP is a weeklong lab school for students from grades 4th-11th. CHAMP’s content rich program is designed and taught by MATE teacher/leaders, 4th-11th grade teachers from participating school sites, university California Mathematics and Science Teacher Initiative (CMST) students, and UCR staff.  The goal of this collaborative project is to raise mathematical and college awareness in underserved and underrepresented students and teachers at these grade levels that are often considered gatekeepers to future success in mathematics, science and technology.

COMPASS (Content Opportunities in Mathematics Programs for ALL Secondary Students)
Project COMPASS is a summer program for high school students which focuses on developing underserved and underrepresented student understanding of technology which aids them in their capabilities to do mathematics.  Students receive instruction in mathematics in technology, and how to combine both to develop deeper understanding of critical thinking.

CMST (California Mathematics and Science Teacher Initiative)
CMST is a program that provides UC Riverside STEM majors with an annual scholarship for teaching highly conceptualized mathematics or science to underrepresented and underserved K-12 students in Riverside County while pursuing a career in teaching. The purpose is two fold: 1) to provide incentives and opportunities for college students to develop themselves as teachers and 2) to provide K-12 students with contemporary ideas and encouragement for continuing to study mathematics and science (ultimately preparing them for college entrance).    

The EDGE Academy
The EDGE Academy is an Algebra/Geometry Academy targeting incoming ninth graders from underrepresented and underserved populations, made possible by a partnership between San Gorgonio High School in San Bernardino City USD, The University of California, Riverside Alpha Center and the UCR P-20 Alliance and University of California Office of the President.  The goals are: 1) to give students an edge in mathematical learning, easing the transition to high school and to better prepare them for high school graduation and college entrance; 2) to provide parents with information about college eligibility requirements, financial aid and tools for supporting academic success; 3) to provide teachers with professional development programs to diversity and enhance their instructional strategies; and 4) to recruit future teachers by providing UCR undergraduate mathematics and science students with opportunities to apprentice with mentor teachers, to gain early field experience with diverse student populations. Other partners in this initiative include EAOP, MESA, Undergraduate Recruitment, CMST, MATE and the P-20 Alliance.

GEMS (Girls Excelling in Mathematics with Success)
Girls Excelling in Mathematics with Success (GEMS) is a collection of academies especially designed for middle and high school girls focusing on mathematics as it relates to college and to life. The purpose is to empower girls with knowledge about mathematics, community service, mentoring and supporting one another. As a result girls are motivated to take more mathematics courses and consider careers that are mathematically based. Surrounding school district teachers are encouraged to recommend underrepresented female students that they feel will benefit from the support and community building provided through the academies.  A highlight of the academies is the inclusion of a myriad of female mathematicians that represent the variety of cultures that have contributed to mathematical knowledge. It is designed to help each girl to realize the contributions of her own culture thereby providing varied role models for all participants.
HBHM (Healthy Body-Healthy Mind)
Project Healthy Body-Healthy Mind is a program for middle school underserved and underrepresented students that focuses on developing a well-rounded individual by balancing the role of health education, fitness, nutrition and positive mental attitude. Students receive instruction in mathematics as it relates to health, physical education as it relates to a healthy lifestyle, self-motivation and character development.  The goal of this project is to stimulate an awareness and exploration of self through engaging and motivational activities, which inform and challenge the body and mind.  Healthy Body-Healthy Mind is where students develop confidence and a positive mindset for success in life.

ISIS Project
Project ISIS (I Strive ~ I Succeed) is designed to cultivate the mathematical talents and interests of women at two critical points in their academic careers; middle school and college. ISIS focuses on middle school girls to motivate interest, strengthen academic preparation and increase informational resources for parents/guardians so that they can support their daughters in pursuing college preparatory courses and experiences. Female undergraduates who demonstrate interest in mathematics are guided on a pathway to careers in mathematics and teaching. In this vein, the goals of Project ISIS are: 1) Provide educational opportunities and support for middle school girls to improve their mathematics academic performance and encourage them to pursue higher education and careers in mathematics related fields; 2) Establish an academic, financial, and mentoring support structure for female undergraduates who are considering teaching as a career, or who are pursuing advanced degrees in mathematics related professions; and 3) Implement evaluation and dissemination strategies to maximize project impact, support replication, and advance the knowledge of the mathematics community. Project ISIS strives to work with classroom teachers and the community in meeting the needs of underserved and underrepresented student populations.

MATE (Mathematics Academy of Teaching Excellence)
MATE is a summer intensive program for teachers from low performing schools serving underserved and underrepresented students and designed to provide participants with mathematics content, pedagogy for teaching the content and research issues related to student achievement/teacher development.  Algebra, geometry and analysis form the core of the program as these topics are a key to higher mathematics and for college entrance.  They also form the mathematical foundation of understanding for many career choices.  Mathematics is presented as a relevant, interesting topic related to life.  Teachers are exposed to useful, content rich interactive classroom ideas; they are given a stipend along with a professional library of resource materials to be used in the implementation of the new ideas in the classroom.  Participants are expected to share the information learned in this academy with interested people (parents, other teachers, community leaders, administrators, and students).

P-20Alliance
The P-20 Alliance is an initiative that engages UCR with other organizations across the educational continuum to improve educational opportunities for students in the region. Partnerships that result from participation on P-20 councils and similar educational reform networks result in collaborative efforts targeting professional development for Inland Empire teachers who serve underrepresented student populations, establishing data consortia to enable data-sharing among institutions to inform program improvement and development designed to improve access to higher education, and providing students with opportunities in and out of school to enhance their academic preparation with a focus on preparing for higher education.  The two principle goals of the P-20 Regional Alliance are: 1) to increase the number and diversity of Inland Empire students motivated to attend and academically prepared for success in college; and 2) to improve teacher quality in Inland Empire schools. In concert with state and national trends in educational reform, the substantive work of UCR's P-20 Regional Alliance has centered on mathematics education (high quality teaching and student achievement), with an increasing emphasis on secondary school reform, particularly in schools serving underserved and underrepresented student populations.         

Future Diversity Activities

Please see the newsletters and brochures at http://www.alphacenter.ucr.edu/Newsletters_Brochures.htm.

Contacts