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Scholarships and Academic Support for Minority Student Success

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Conference

2024 South East Section Meeting

Location

Marietta, Georgia

Publication Date

March 10, 2024

Start Date

March 10, 2024

End Date

March 12, 2024

Tagged Topic

Diversity

Page Count

11

DOI

10.18260/1-2--45558

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/45558

Download Count

16

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Paper Authors

biography

Showkat J. Chowdhury Alabama A&M University

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Dr. Showkat J. Chowdhury is a Professor and Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, AL. Dr. Chowdhury has extensive background in teaching undergraduate and graduate students in Mechanical Engineering and performing research in the fields of Computational Fluid Dynamics, Renewable Energy, Nano-Technology, Heat & Mass Transfer, and Combustion. He is managing multi-million dollar external research grants from NSF and DoED as PI.

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Xiang Zhao Alabama A&M University

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Dr. Xiang (Susie) Zhao, Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Alabama A&M University, has over 20 years of teaching experience in traditional on-campus settings or online format at several universities in US an

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Tamara Chowdhury Alabama A&M University

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Tamara Chowdhury is an Assistant Professor of Construction Management Program in the Department of Mechanical & Civil Engineering and Construction Management at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, AL. Prof. Chowdhury has extensive background in teaching undergraduate students in the Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management and conducting external funded research. She also worked for a multinational research organization for many years.

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Abstract

In this innovative and technology driven global market, to remain competitive US needs to increase the number of STEM graduates and develop a diverse workforce. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of scholarships and various academic supports like, mentoring, undergraduate research, career and professional development activities to increase the minority student success, retention, and graduation. This study analyzes the demographics and performance of a cohort of National Science Foundation (NSF) Scholarship Recipient Students supported by an NSF Grant. In addition to scholarships, various academic supports are provided to these talented but financially needy minority students. Statistical analyses of the NSF scholarship recipient students’ cumulative GPA, retention rate, graduation rate, and graduation time are analyzed, and compared with those of all the students in the concerned majors, college and the university. Student surveys are also conducted to examine the perception or self-evaluation of the students in this matter. It was found that the demographics of the NSF Scholars under study are similar to all the students in the concerned majors, the college and university. However, the cumulative GPA, retention rate, graduation rate, and graduation time needed are significantly better compared to their peers. This study shows that, the scholarships and various academic supports provided to the talented but financially needy minority students had significant impact on student success, retention, and graduation.

Chowdhury, S. J., & Zhao, X., & Chowdhury, T. (2024, March), Scholarships and Academic Support for Minority Student Success Paper presented at 2024 South East Section Meeting, Marietta, Georgia. 10.18260/1-2--45558

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