Preparing Students for the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Workforce Through the NSF S-STEM Scholarship Program

Our institution was awarded a National Science Foundation grant to establish a scholarship program to help increase the STEM workforce by recruiting, mentoring, and supporting academically talented, low-income students through degree completion, assistance with graduate school admissions, and assistance with placement in the STEM workforce and/or graduate school. To address these goals, evidence-based practices including peer and faculty mentoring, learning communities, regular evaluation of participant progress, and undergraduate research experiences were used. The data showed participants in the program had a marked increase in STEM degree retention, completion, and entrance into the STEM workforce and/or graduate programs. At the completion of the program, 88% of the participants had either graduated with or were still enrolled in a STEM program. Of those who graduated, eleven were accepted directly into STEM Ph.D. programs and all who graduated with an A.S. degree continued to a STEM B.S. degree. Additionally, more than 90% of participants reported the scholarship funds allowed them to devote more time to school and undergraduate research, which assisted with student success.