Marian Wilson-Comer, the new Executive Director of the Chicago Alliance for Minority Participation (ChAMP), comes to the position with anticipation and enthusiasm.
According to Wilson-Comer, "The Chicago AMP is ideally positioned to have a major impact on the quality of SMET program offerings, to increase the number of underrepresented students choosing SMET academic programs, and to be extremely effective in motivating students to high levels of achievement."
With high praise for Chicago AMP, Wilson Comer notes that, to date, the program has been extremely successful. "The six institutions have demonstrated a commitment to increasing the minority populations participating in SMET disciplines. The Bridge Programs preparing students to link with university academic programs, practical tutoring experiences, and the Research Programs connecting faculty members and individual students with research investigations, all function to assist students in acquiring the relevant skills and flexibility needed in a rapidly changing workforce that is continuously being transformed by science and technology. Success in programs such as AMP represents some of the best investments in higher education."
Well-prepared for her new position, Wilson-Comerholds degrees in biology (Roosevelt University), biology education (Indiana University), and a Ph.D. in botany from the University of Illinois. Wilson-Comer has taught science for more than 20 years and has held various administrative positions.
She can be reached by E-mail at
Chicago State University