The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) through Targeted Infusion Projects supports the development, implementation, and study of evidence-based innovative models and approaches for improving the preparation and success of HBCU undergraduate students so that they may pursue STEM graduate programs and/or careers. The project at Kentucky State University seeks to undertake institutional reform and establish transformational strategies to strengthen and enhance STEM teaching, learning, and research and to improve students' access to and retention in STEM programs. Kentucky State University enrolls a significant number of students from groups underrepresented in STEM - minority students, low-income students, and non-traditional students, such as home-schooled students and students returning to college.
The project seeks to enhance the teaching pedagogies and research capacity in STEM fields, fostering a competitive learning and research environment, and developing new project-based and inquiry-based curricula and programs that will provide academic support to the students. The specific objectives of the project are to: 1) increase the enrollment of students into the STEM programs; 2) develop experiential research projects to enhance students' opportunities in a broad range of scientific inquiry; 3) enhance STEM curricula to address the diverse backgrounds and learning styles of the students; and 4) develop student retention, faculty development, and research enhancement programs. The project is projected to impact 250 students at Kentucky State University, as well as 60 pre-college or high school students.
