The Institute is establishing a scholarship program to encourage and mentor financially needy students majoring in one of eight STEM degree programs at VMI. The program provides financial and academic support to 20 to 24 students in any of the math, science or engineering degree programs.
Intellectual Merit: The intellectual merit of this proposal is in the use of design principles that are common among successful STEM programs and build upon existing programs at VMI. An engaged and mentoring faculty, peer support through tutoring and mentorship and social interaction, enriching research and internship opportunities and a continuous process of assessment and evaluation of the program are the hallmarks of the project to improve STEM recruitment, retention and encourage students to pursue STEM related careers.
Broader Impacts: The broader impacts of this proposal are that the program serves as a model support program for other STEM students at this institution. The most successful elements of the project will be continued and benefit all STEM majors. Targeting recruitment efforts to well qualified women and minorities improves the diversity among the STEM departments as well as the institution as a whole. The evaluation and dissemination of the project's successes improves the understanding of factors that influence STEM recruitment and retention for other academic institutions.
