It is estimated that only approximately half of students enrolling in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) undergraduate programs in the United States are expected to graduate with a STEM degree. The national STEM graduation statistics for underrepresented groups are even more disparate, with over three-quarters of minority students leaving STEM disciplines at the undergraduate level. Several programs have been developed and are being implemented at our university to demonstrate best practices in student retention in STEM fields. Mentoring strategies, scholarship opportunities, involvement in student clubs/organizations, workshops on resume writing, interview skills, and job searches are just a few of the strategies that address the main causes of undergraduate STEM student turnover. Peer to peer mentoring (with instructional assistants) and faculty-student mentorship are two examples (collaborative paper and grant writing, working on research projects, CUREs etc.) that will be highlighted in this presentation. In addition, to provide insight into the key elements of these programs, the strategies and challenges for this approach will be examined from the perspectives of professors and students.

Providing an inclusive environment in recruitment and retention of underrepresented undergraduate students in STEM disciplines at a diverse university: Strategies and challenges

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.