STEM Focused Engagement of Undecided Students

Benedict College, Columbia SC

Investigators

Abstract

This project is directed at increasing the number of students entering, graduating, advancing to graduate studies and/or pursing professional careers in STEM disciplines. The School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) continues to explore improvement strategies for recruitment, instruction, hands-on laboratory and research experiences, and mentoring, as well as a number of other academic reinforcement programs for STEM majors. A valuable, plentiful and inadequately tapped resource for increasing the number of students entering STEM majors and obtaining STEM degrees at the College is the "Undecideds." Undecideds refer to students who enter the College without a declared major, many of whom have a genuine interest and curiosity of STEM, but select other majors at a rate of 75%. Since no organized effort existed in the environment to expose Undecideds to the wonder, challenge, reward, fulfillment and diversity of careers in STEM, this project is undertaking the implementation of an innovative recruiting approach. In addition, to help ensure successful matriculation of the STEM recruits and improve the overall retention of all STEM majors, a program that focuses on improving science and mathematics skills and enhancing the overall STEM experience is underway. The project represents a joint effort of School of STEM administrators, department chairs, discipline coordinators, faculty, and upper class students. In addition, this effort is presented in collaboration with the Benedict College Student Support Service Unit. Intellectual Merit: The project includes the following strategies in order to promote an increase in the number of students pursuing and obtaining STEM degrees: (1) Got STEM? A year-round recruiting initiative that targets undecided majors and introduces them to the excitement and benefits of STEM careers; (2) STEM Success Units. A cohesive hybrid unit design that integrates faculty mentoring and advising, peer-to-peer mentoring and tutoring and team building in a manner that promotes students success and provides a support system for each STEM recruit. (3) Ready for Success. An orientation (freshman) and reorientation (rising sophomores) to begin the first and second academic years, respectively, in a ready for success mode which includes a formal math and science study skills development program, mini courses, non traditional and new STEM experiences, an early introduction to research, being marketed and offered to undecided majors, as well as freshman and sophomore STEM majors; and (4) Mentorship training for faculty and upper class student peers. Broader Impact: This project promises to broaden impact with the following objectives: (1) A target increase of 15 STEM graduates per year; (2) A cohesive hybrid unit model to be assessed, documented and disseminated that may be used in other environments to positively affect STEM students nationally; (3) Increased number of opportunities for students to engage in STEM skills enrichment, spending additional time and interacting in smaller class settings for exploring the laboratory and research environment; and (4) Increased number of trained faculty and student peers who can promote interest and success in STEM within the student body, thereby increasing the number of traditionally underrepresented students graduating with STEM degrees.