9354160 Ross Cayey University College will design methods to further develop itself as a Model Institution for Excellence (MIE) in undergraduate Science and Mathematics. The MIE program will contribute to significantly increasing the number and quality of Puerto Rican students entering and progressing through the educational pipeline, and pursuing graduate degrees in the Natural Science, Computer Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics (SEM). This comprehensive long term program is possible at Cayey because of an existing commitment to this objective. Cayey intends to sustain the success of the MIE program in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics faculty and curricula with a balanced teaching and research practice. The balance will be insured and enhanced by the creation of a support structure with three components: Student, Research and Academic development. The Student Development Component will deal directly with students at pre-college, college and college-to-graduate levels. Specific activities will be developed for recruitment of high school students, enrichment and support of undergraduates, as well as information and support for college-to-graduate students. Also, activities will be provided for the development of scientific literacy to potential students, their families and members of the community. The purpose of the Research Development component is to strengthen the overall Science and Mathematics research capabilities. It will administer research grants and handle specific research related activities in coordination with the Academic component. The Academic Component proposes to complement the learning experience with undergraduate research, creating a climate of excitement with the learning process which comes from discovery. Such an experience is conceived to promote students to move on to graduate SEM programs. As a whole, the component will strengthen the undergraduate programs through the following activities; revision of curricula a nd programs to integrate undergraduate research as a unifying structure, co-curricular activities with visiting specialists and speakers, renovation of teaching methodology, recruitment of new faculty, and acquisition of modern equipment and instrumentation.
