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The S-STEM Scholarship: An Integrated Approach to Helping Talented Students in Need

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Conference

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

New Orleans, Louisiana

Publication Date

June 26, 2016

Start Date

June 26, 2016

End Date

June 29, 2016

ISBN

978-0-692-68565-5

ISSN

2153-5965

Conference Session

NSF Grantees Poster Session I

Tagged Topics

Diversity and NSF Grantees Poster Session

Page Count

12

DOI

10.18260/p.27016

Permanent URL

https://strategy.asee.org/27016

Download Count

493

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Paper Authors

biography

Jana Lunt Southern Utah University

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I am an assistant professor of mathematics at Southern Utah University. I serve as the principal investigator for the S-STEM grant at SUU. My research interests include finding ways to increase student understanding in lower-division mathematics classes in order to increase retention in STEM disciplines.

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biography

John S. MacLean Southern Utah University

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Dr. Johnny MacLean has taught geology at Southern Utah University since 2010. He strives to create field-based and integrative learning environments for undergraduates.

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Abstract

The S-STEM Scholarship Program at Southern Utah University provides financial, faculty, peer, and professional support to first-generation college students, minority students, and students who come from low-income families. The program was initiated in response to the identification of a high percentage of SUU students with these disadvantages and to the realization that supporting these students could increase retention at SUU in the STEM disciplines. In addition, the program seeks to help provide skilled scientists, engineers, and mathematicians to the southern Utah region. Since its inception in 2012, S-STEM program participants majoring in science, engineering, and mathematics disciplines have engaged in an interdisciplinary learning community that has included faculty mentorship, peer mentorship, undergraduate research opportunities, and career and graduate school workshops. Additionally, participants have been awarded $5000 scholarships per school year, which have allowed many to decrease their extracurricular employment responsibilities and increase their focus on their studies. These engagement and financial benefits have supported a population of students whom the university has traditionally struggled to retain. The program’s goals are currently being met, and the program can serve as a model for others who wish to support students with various disadvantages. This report presents the rationale for the program, describes the details of the interdisciplinary learning community, and provides a progress report after the first 3 years of student involvement.

Lunt, J., & MacLean, J. S. (2016, June), The S-STEM Scholarship: An Integrated Approach to Helping Talented Students in Need Paper presented at 2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, New Orleans, Louisiana. 10.18260/p.27016

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