The Academic Scholars Program serves 22 academically talented but financially disadvantaged students per semester who are majoring in science, technology, engineering or science (STEM) disciplines. It provides a solid support system to ensure success through degree completion and/or transfer to a four-year institution.
Intellectual Merit: Program components include the utilization of an Individual Education Plans for each scholarship recipient, faculty mentors who monitor academic progress, the creation of a STEM student cohort through the Math + Science Center, carefully tracking of students throughout their academic careers, participation of scholarship recipients in field work which offers application-oriented experiences, and increased collaboration among faculty and students among STEM disciplines. The Academic Scholars Program builds upon the framework developed for the Computer Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Scholarship (CSEMS) project.
Broader Impact: The Academic Scholars Program is critical in advancing the knowledge and understanding of science, engineering, technology and mathematic on an Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) campus comprised of highly diverse, economically disadvantaged, and academically talented students. This program is broadening opportunities and enabling participation for underrepresented groups of students to pursue degrees in STEM disciplines.