Biology Opportunities and Scholarships for Success (BOSS) Project

西阿拉巴马大学（UWA）生物学机会和成功奖学金（BOSS）支持16名生物学或环境科学专业的本科生，他们表现出学术潜力，STEM动机和经济需求。该大学近一半的学生（46%）来自阿拉巴马州西部的六个县，其中四个县是全国最贫穷的20个县之一。西澳大学的大多数学生隶属于代表性不足的群体，包括女性、少数民族和第一代学生。西澳大学的目标服务区域有大量服务不足的学生，因此西澳大学特别致力于解决第一代和低收入学生的需求。BOSS计划的指导目标是通过提供全面的教育机会，使S-STEM学者能够充分发挥其学术潜力，从而通过学位成就提高学生的保留率。该计划通过提供职业探索和专业发展机会，帮助增加成功的生物和环境科学毕业生加入劳动力或研究生院的数量。西澳大学还为学者提供广泛的支持服务，包括咨询服务、重点学生咨询和辅导。学生学者的评估包括一个个性化的成功计划（ISP），通过与学生成功相关的持续评估来评估每个参与者。结果数据包括学术进展报告、实习参与、专业演讲和其他专业网络活动。

The University of West Alabama (UWA) Biology Opportunities and Scholarships for Success (BOSS) is supporting 16 undergraduates majoring in either Biology or Environmental Sciences who demonstrate academic potential, motivation for STEM, and financial need. Nearly half of the University's students (46%) are from six western Alabama counties, four of which are among the 20 poorest counties in the nation. The majority of UWA students are affiliated with underrepresented groups including women, ethnic minorities, and first-generation students. With a large population of under-served students in its targeted service area, UWA is distinctively set to address the needs of first-generation and low-income students.The guiding objective of the BOSS program is to increase student retention through degree achievement by providing comprehensive educational opportunities so that the S-STEM scholars can reach their full academic potential. The program helps to increase the number of successful biological and environmental sciences graduates joining the workforce or graduate schools by providing career exploration and professional development opportunities. UWA also offers scholars a wide range of supportive services, including counseling services, focused student advising, and tutoring. The evaluation of student scholars involves an Individualized Success Plan (ISP) to assess every participant through ongoing evaluations pertinent to the student's success. Outcome data include academic progress reports, internship participation, professional presentations, and other professional networking activities.