1 The Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD Bridge Program: Broadening Participating of Underrepresented Minorities in the Physical Sciences. Recognizing, enlisting, and cultivating ‘unrealized or unrecognized potential’ in students Keivan G. Stassun Department of Physics & Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235 Department of Physics, Fisk University, Nashville, TN 37208 Susan Sturm Center for Institutional and Social Change, Columbia University, New York, NY Kelly Holley-Bockelmann Department of Physics & Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235 Department of Physics, Fisk University, Nashville, TN 37208 Arnold Burger Department of Physics, Fisk University, Nashville, TN 37208 Department of Physics & Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235 David J. Ernst Department of Physics & Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235 Department of Physics, Fisk University, Nashville, TN 37208 Donna Webb Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235 Abstract The Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD Bridge Program was designed to be a model for sub- stantially increasing the number of underrepresented minorities earning doctoral degrees in the physical sciences. The program is on pace to become the nationǯs top producer of un- derrepresented minority PhDs in physics, astronomy, and materials science. Already, the program leads the nation in masterǯs degrees in physics for African Americans, and is one of the top ten producers of physics masterǯs degrees among all US citizens in general. In this contribution, we summarize the main features of the program including two of its core strategies: (1) partnering a minority-serving institution and a major research university through collaborative research, and ȋʹȌ using the masterǯs degree as a deliberate stepping stone to the PhD. We also specifically discuss one of the emerging core theories of the pro- gram: the concept of students with Ǯunrealized or unrecognized potentialǯ. We discuss our methods to recognize and select for unrealized potential during the admissions process, and how we cultivate that unrealized potential toward development of successful scientists and leaders.