The primary goal of the CSB/SJU FoCuS Scholarship and Support Program (Future Chemists Scholarships and Support) has been to increase the recruitment and retention of students that graduate in the chemical sciences at The College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University, particularly those students that are high achieving students, financially needy, or from groups historically underrepresented in science. We have enrolled five cohorts of FoCuS Scholars. Approximately, two-thirds are women and almost half of the students are also first-generation college students, a much more diverse group than is typical for CSB/SJU. FoCuS Scholars have been successful in academics and participation in research and internships. Considering that many of these students are first generation college students and economically disadvantaged, this success is a strong testament to the support strategies employed in the program to increase the retention of under-represented student populations. This cohort program has served to increase the number of majors in our department and has substantially increased the numbers of women and students from underrepresented groups. This presentation will provide an overview of the strategies that have supported the retention of under-represented students in STEM.

Cohort program to increase recruitment and retention of under-represented students in STEM

254th National Meeting (2017)

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