Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Scholars Program: Increasing Access to STEM Careers

通过一项新的STEM学者计划，圣玛丽大学为24名学生提供奖学金支持，每个学生在六个系(生物学、化学和生物化学、计算机科学、工程、数学、物理和地球科学)各四名。该计划的主要目标是(1)为有学术潜力的经济困难的本科生STEM学生提供更多进入科学和工程课程的机会，以及(2)提高队列的保留率和毕业率。作为一家西班牙裔服务机构，圣玛丽深知社区对大多数学生的价值，并在高影响力活动的基础上建立了STEM学者计划。在圣玛丽学校的第一学期之前，学者们会参加一个为期两周的训练营，作为向学生介绍大学的一种方式。因此，STEM学者计划包括一个生活和学习社区，专注于提供全面的学生支持服务、学术充实、外展、职业探索、就业安置服务和研究生项目咨询服务。STEM学者计划的一个基本要素是让学者住在STEM宿舍里，该宿舍最初于2009年实施，目的是为STEM专业学生提供丰富的学习体验。圣玛丽的STEM教员与学生发展部合作，为学习社区成员提供编程。科学指定的住宿大厅还容纳了STEM大三和大四的学生，他们作为新来的新生的同伴导师。在大学期间，学者会参与相关的主题课程体验，包括基石大一的研讨会、二年级和三年级的学者研讨会以及四年级的顶峰研讨会。STEM群体的多样性为大学评估和完善招收、准备和留住从事STEM职业的未被充分代表的学生和第一代学生的战略提供了机会。通过STEM学者计划，圣玛丽大学正在增加STEM招生人数，并从所有群体招收更多高素质学生，包括第一代学生、少数族裔和女性。

Through a new STEM Scholars Program, St. Mary's University is providing scholarship support to 24 students, four each in six departments (Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics and Earth Science). The primary goals of the program are to (1) provide greater access to science and engineering programs to financially disadvantaged undergraduate STEM students with academic potential and (2) increase the retention and graduation rates of the cohort. As a Hispanic Serving Institution, St. Mary's understands the value that community has for the majority of its students and has built the STEM Scholars Program upon high impact activities. Prior to their first semester at St. Mary's, Scholars participate in a two-week Boot Camp as a way to introduce the students to the university. The STEM Scholars Program, then, includes a Living and Learning Community focused on offering a comprehensive package of student support services, academic enrichment, outreach, career exploration, job placement services, and graduate program advising services. A foundational element of the STEM Scholars Program involves Scholars living in a STEM residence hall, originally implemented in 2009 to provide an enriched learning experience for STEM majors. St. Mary's STEM faculty, in coordination with Student Development, provides programming for the learning community members. The science-designated residence hall also houses STEM juniors and seniors who serve as peer mentors to the incoming freshmen. Throughout their time at the university, Scholars participate in linked, thematic curricular experiences, including a Cornerstones freshman seminar, Scholars Seminars in years 2 and 3, and a Capstone in year 4. The diversity of the STEM cohort provides the opportunity for the university to assess and refine strategies for recruiting, preparing, and retaining underrepresented and first generation students pursuing STEM careers. Through the STEM Scholars Program, St. Mary's University is increasing STEM enrollment and recruiting a greater number of high-caliber students from all groups, including first-generation students, minorities and women.