Consistent with national norms, only about ½ of students who intend to major in STEM degrees at Maryville College (MC) complete STEM degrees. The Scots Science Scholars (S3) program was funded through the National Science Foundation’s STEM Talent Extension Program to increase the number of students graduating with STEM degrees from MC. The S3 program enrolls college freshman who have an interest in STEM majors and math ACT scores between 22 and 27, with emphasis on students from groups underrepresented in STEM and first-generation college students. The program consists of a summer bridge, a living-learning community, early engagement in STEM research, a seminar series that exposes students to STEM careers and research fields, and academic support through a first-year seminar class, peer tutoring, and time-management counseling. The program has enrolled 6 cohorts of students (n = 97) since 2013, (54% female, 22% underrepresented minorities and 35% first-generation college students). From 2013-2017, S3 compared favorably to the general college population enrolled: 96% of all S3 completed the first year of college, 69% declared STEM majors, and 85% returned to the college for a second year (compared to 71%, p &lt; 0.001). Overall, S3 persist at the college longer than non-S3 students (log rank, P&lt;0.01). Compared to a matched control group, S3 had significantly higher STEM major declaration rates, higher rates of retention in STEM retention through the junior year (41% vs. 20%), and improved overall college persistence. The program has attracted support from private donors and has now received institutional support for a 7th year, based on overall college retention data. College-wide, the proportion of STEM students at Maryville has increased since the inception of S3. Our data suggest the S3 program is one component of institutional changes that are effective for increasing the STEM population.

Improving STEM retention at a liberal arts college: Retention analysis of Scots Science scholars

2019 Spring National Meeting

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