Xavier University of Louisiana, the only historically black and Catholic university of the United States, has added one more feather to its crown of achievements.
According to new data compiled by the Association of American Medical Colleges, in 2011 Xavier was the top producer of African-American students who earned medical degrees - beating the nation's most prestigious schools including Harvard, Yale and Stanford.
Sixty of its alumni graduated from medical schools across the country, compared to 22 Harvard graduates, 21 Yale graduates and 20 Stanford graduates.
With about 65 percent of its incoming freshmen focusing on a STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) discipline, XULA has apparently perfected the model in educating minority STEM students.
According to the American Institute of Physics, the university is first in the nation in awarding African-Americans baccalaureate degrees in physics and the physical sciences.
Also, the university is ranked by the American Chemical Society as one of the top 25 universities to award bachelor's degrees in chemistry. The National Science Foundation ranks XULA ninth on its list of schools whose minority alumni complete a PhD. Xavier is also one of the top producers of African-American Doctor of Pharmacy graduates.
The XULA community is elated, as their years of hard work are finally bearing fruit.
In 1977, XULA academia recognized a problem-solving and test-taking gap minority students showed when they arrived in college. The curriculum requirements and the way students were taught changed to ensure XULA students learned better analytical reasoning.
XULA also offers summer bridge programs dedicated to instilling a solid understanding of STEM skills for incoming freshmen.
"When we started the summer programs for high school students, we were unique in what was being done at other universities. Our success shows in the number of students who graduated from medical schools across the country, and in the percentage of former students employed in a STEM-related field," XULA president Dr. Norman Francis said.
He also added that these programs provide a powerful recruiting tool for XULA and give under-served minority students an advantage in pursuing a STEM career. Once students arrive at XULA, they receive preparation not available in many other universities. Drill sessions, peer mentoring, teacher mentoring and counseling prepare them to succeed in the STEM profession.
Many education experts say that the nation needs a large number of STEM professionals in the coming years to stand at par with countries like China and Germany, who produce the highest number of STEM graduates. Hopefully, schools like XULA are helping realize the dreams of minority students interested in STEM fields.
