Philander Smith College, through the HBCU-UP program, plan to improve student recruitment and retention, redesign curriculum in science and mathematics, and strengthen the instructional, training and research infrastructure.
Through partnership with area high school students, the university will implement academic year and summer bridge programs to increase the interest in and awareness of STEM programs at Philander Smithe College, as well as strengthen the science and mathematics preparation of incoming students. The program will utilize collaborative learning, supplemental instruction, lecture series, and student-to-student mentoring to ensure success of the program.
Faculty will re-design traditional gate-keeper courses in order to increase retention of students. These courses, College Algebra, College Chemistry and Applied Computer Science, will incorporate changes in instructional strategies, be infused with technology, and will benefit from an enhanced view of the relationship of the course materials with those of other discipline. Additionally, courses in applied computer science and cross-disciplinary research will be developed.
The project will supplement in-class instruction with increased undergraduate student research and enhancement of the college's technology infrastructure.
The Division of Natural and Physical Sciences at Philander Smith College (PSC) was awarded a Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU UP), 2006, by the National Science Foundation (NSF).The intellectual merit of this program is to address the continued under-representation of minorities in science, technology, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. The program strategies strengthened Philander Smith College's STEM program by offering: recruitment and retention efforts, including an academic year program for 10th, 11th and 12th grade high school students and a summer bridge program for entering first-year students; curriculum revisions in the gate-keeper courses; new academic courses and support mechanisms; and expanded undergraduate research opportunities. Increasing the numbers of students in STEM disciplines, having them better prepared, enhancing their support, and providing increased research opportunities for them. Program activities have been designed to significantly increase the number of STEM degrees awarded by PSC, and potentially throughout Arkansas, and subsequently enable larger numbers of these graduates to attain post-graduate degrees in STEM disciplines and meaningful STEM careers. This project’s effectiveness is attributed to continued commitment from College administration, STEM faculty and staff, and advisory members. HBCU-UP has provided the tools and support for minority students to overcome barriers and successfully navigate through their STEM curriculum of choice. The result of our goals and objectives is a 110% increase in enrollment, from 105 in baseline year 2006 to 221 in 2011. Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees awarded at Philander Smith College have seen a remarkable increase from three (3) degrees in 2007 to 26 in 2012. HBCU-UP has significantly impacted the culture of the College, as it has retained students through scientific development activities such as Summer Bridge, Student Inspired Research and Technology Summer Enrichment Program (SIRTSEP) and Undergraduate Research and promoted academic excellence through Collaborative Learning, Student to Student Advocacy, and Supplemental Instruction activities. Students who participate in the HBCU-UP program have a higher propensity to progress within the academic pipeline, remain in their selected major, and persist toward a B.S. degree. Local, regional, and national synergistic relationships have been fostered to enable an effective infrastructure at Philander Smith College, vital for student success. Our efforts exhibit an investment in the future of Arkansas and the United States of America, through discovery and innovation in STEM.
