In this project students at Salish Kootenai College, a tribal college in Montana, are named Salish Kootenai STEM Scholars (S3) to assist them in earning bachelors degrees in STEM disciplines. In addition to the scholarships, S3 Scholars have access to individual mentoring, academic support through a tutoring center, internship opportunities in tribal technological businesses, research opportunities, student support services, math boot camps, and career counseling. Over the five years of the grant the project aims to increase the number of STEM graduates from underrepresented groups, mostly Native American, to the national average of 14%, increase the proportion of entering freshmen declaring STEM majors to 31%, and increase the retention of declared majors graduating to 75%. These ambitious goals are being achieved despite the high level of poverty in the area, the nontraditional student population (needs for childcare and family support), and weak high-school preparation of many of the students.
