Pathway for Adult-learners, Community college and non-Traditional Students (PACTS)

乔治华盛顿大学的成人学习者、社区学院和非传统学生之路(PACTS)奖学金计划正在支持一批有才华的非传统学生、社区大学毕业生和成人学习者完成STEM领域的学士学位。在这一群体中，具有指导和角色建模的结构化计划的影响已被证明是有效的，在某些情况下，还改变了学生的游戏规则。除了核心的量化课程外，学生还学习道德、公民参与、企业家精神、商业和监管事务的原则。所有这些，再加上对口头和书面交流的高度重视，正在培养一支STEM专业人才队伍，他们将在未来几年作为领导者为当地和全国的劳动力做出贡献。这个项目的一个重要方面是让学生专注于STEM领域的职业回报，并帮助他们在毕业后探索自己的选择。该项目与当地科技行业建立了紧密的联系，并通过行业合作伙伴关系，将学生带到工作场所，并将行业代表带到研讨会和研讨会上。这些接触增加了学生对STEM课程的兴趣，将他们学到的东西放在现实世界的背景下。向学生提供指导，为他们在研究生阶段继续教育做好准备。该项目正在扩大非传统学生在信息技术领域的参与，为该项目的学者提供完成学位、进入劳动力大军或在研究生阶段继续学习的一系列机会。通过增加教育、指导和就业机会，该计划创造了一支更加多样化和包容性的STEM劳动力队伍。此外，该项目解决了在非传统学生中增加STEM毕业生人数的需要，这些非传统学生主要是STEM领域中代表性不足的人群：第一代大学毕业生和经济困难的学生。乔治华盛顿大学的一个小群体模型表明，具有社区学院背景的STEM专业的学生可以达到90%以上的按时毕业率。该项目的评估计划包括形成性和总结性两个部分，以确保个别学生的成功和项目目标的整体实现。在整个项目过程中，学生会得到持续的支持和反馈。正在收集和分析关于每个学生的进展、方案活动的有效性、研究生入学统计数据和PACTS学者的就业/晋升趋势以及总体方案业绩的数据。

The Pathway for Adult-learners, Community college and non-Traditional Students (PACTS) Scholarship program, at The George Washington University, is supporting bachelor's degree completion in STEM fields for cohorts of talented non-traditional students, community college graduates and adult learners This is a demographic for which the impact of having a structured program with mentoring and role modeling has been proven to be effective and, in some cases, a game-changer for students. In addition to their core quantitative coursework, the students learn principles of ethics, civic engagement, entrepreneurship, business, and regulatory affairs. All this, combined with a strong emphasis on verbal and written communication, is creating a cadre of STEM professionals who will contribute to the local and national workforce as leaders for years to come.An essential aspect of this project is keeping the students focused on rewarding careers in the STEM fields, and helping them explore their options after graduation. With strong ties to the local technology sector and through industry partnerships, the program is taking the students to the workplace and bringing representatives from industry to seminars and workshops. These exposures increase the students' interest in their STEM courses by placing what they learn in a real-world context. Students are provided with guidance that prepares them for continuing their education at a graduate level.The project is broadening the participation of non-traditional students in the field of information technology by providing the PACTS scholars with an array of opportunities to finish their degree, enter the workforce or continue their studies at the graduate level. By enhancing the education, mentoring, and employment opportunities, the program creates a STEM workforce that is more diverse and inclusive. In addition, the project addresses the need to increase the number of STEM graduates among non-traditional students who are comprised mostly of underrepresented populations in STEM fields: first generation college goers and financially needy students. A small cohort model at George Washington University has demonstrated that a greater than 90%, on-time graduation rate can be achieved for STEM majors with community college backgrounds. The evaluation plan for this project includes both formative and sumative components to ensure the success of individual students and the overall achievement of program goals. Students receive continuous support and feedback throughout the program. Data is being collected and analyzed on the progress of each student, the effectiveness of program activities, graduate school admission statistics and job placement/advancement trends for the PACTS scholars, as well as the overall program performance.