STEP - Center for Achievement, Retention and Student Success

该项目是一个综合性的项目，隶属于成就、保留和学生成功中心（CARSS），旨在促进即将到来的高中毕业生和社区大学转学的成功过渡和整合。它涉及生物系、化学系、数学系和物理系之间的合作，并利用现有的支持机制。项目目标包括将宣布主修STEM专业的新生的4年毕业率提高40%至50%，将在大三进入大学的转学生的2-3年毕业率提高40%至50%，以及将历史上服务不足的人群的STEM毕业生人数增加50%。通过机构承诺维持CARSS的努力包括1500平方英尺的奉献。为STEM领域的学生提供咨询和辅导服务的空间；继续实行中央公务员制度协调员工作人员路线；在资助期结束时，继续为同侪导师及导师提供资助；以及在资助期结束后继续提供实物服务，例如使用学术支援服务人员和资源。该项目为所有STEM专业的学生提供辅导和指导服务，特别是那些正在学习具有挑战性的入门课程的学生。该计划包括职业咨询、教师指导、与学生家庭协商的招聘部分，以及各种经济激励措施。该项目还旨在从历史上服务不足的人群中招收学生进入STEM专业。评估工作由大学内的一位专家领导，使用多阶段混合方法来监测和提高中心活动的质量，并衡量这些举措对学生和教师的影响。更广泛的影响包括特别关注历史上服务不足的人口，加强大学的基础设施，以及传播他们的最佳做法。

The project is a comprehensive program, under the Center for Achievement, Retention and Student Success (CARSS), that facilitates the successful transition and integration of incoming high school graduates and community college transfers. It involves collaborations between the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, and leverages existing support mechanisms. Project goals include a 40% to 50% increase in the 4-year graduation rates of a cohort of freshman with declared STEM majors, a 40% to 50% increase in the 2-3 year graduation rates of transfer students entering the University in their junior year, and a 50% increase in the number of STEM graduates from historically underserved populations. Efforts to sustain CARSS through institutional commitments include the dedication of 1500 sq. ft. of space for CARSS advising and mentoring services for students in STEM fields; the continuation of the CARSS Coordinator Staff line; continued funding support for the Peer Tutors and Mentors at the conclusion of the funding period; and the continued provision of in-kind services such as the use of Academic Support Services personnel and resources after the funding period has ended. The program is offering tutoring and mentoring services for all STEM majors, particularly for students working through challenging gateway courses. The program includes career counseling, faculty mentoring, a recruitment component that involves consultation with student families, and a variety of financial incentives. The program also is designed to recruit students from historically underserved populations into STEM majors. The evaluation effort, led by an expert within the University, is using multi-phased, mixed methodology to monitor and improve the quality of the Center's activities and to measure the impact of the initiatives on students and faculty. Broader impacts include a special focus on historically underserved populations, enhancement of the University's infrastructure, and the dissemination of their best practices.