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

乔治华盛顿大学的成人学习者、社区大学和非传统学生（PACTS）奖学金项目支持有才华的非传统学生、社区大学毕业生和成人学习者在STEM领域完成学士学位。对这一人群来说，有指导和角色示范的结构化项目的影响已被证明是有效的，在某些情况下，对学生来说，这是一个改变游戏规则的项目。除了核心的定量课程外，学生们还学习道德原则、公民参与、创业、商业和监管事务。所有这些，再加上对口头和书面沟通的强调，正在培养一批STEM专业人才，他们将在未来几年为当地和国家的劳动力做出贡献。该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。通过与当地技术部门和行业合作伙伴的紧密联系，该项目将学生带到工作场所，并将行业代表带到研讨会和讲习班。这些接触增加了学生对STEM课程的兴趣，将他们所学的知识置于现实世界的背景下。为学生提供指导，为他们继续研究生阶段的教育做准备。该项目正在扩大非传统学生在信息技术领域的参与，为太平洋技术合作计划的学者提供一系列完成学位、进入劳动力市场或继续研究生阶段学习的机会。通过加强教育、指导和就业机会，该项目创造了一支更加多元化和包容性的STEM劳动力队伍。此外，该项目还解决了在非传统学生中增加STEM毕业生人数的需求，这些学生主要由STEM领域中代表性不足的人群组成：第一代大学生和经济困难的学生。乔治华盛顿大学（George Washington University）的一个小型队列模型表明，具有社区大学背景的STEM专业学生的准时毕业率可以达到90%以上。该项目的评估计划包括形成性和总结性两部分，以确保个别学生的成功和项目目标的总体实现。学生在整个课程中得到持续的支持和反馈。正在收集和分析每个学生的进步、项目活动的有效性、研究生院入学统计、PACTS学者的工作安置/晋升趋势以及整体项目表现的数据。

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.