Lee University's Integrated Math and Science Scholars Program; Cohort 1 Results

Abstract

Lee University's integrated Math and Science Scholars (iMASS) program began in the spring of 2015 as a part of the Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S‐STEM) funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The purpose of this program is to introduce STEM students to industry and research opportunities in the region, cultivate a learning community by cohorting them in interdisciplinary groups with biology, chemistry, biochemistry and mathematics majors, and increase retention of the participants. The iMASS program seeks to include academically talented, financially eligible students, with a focus on those who are minority or first – generation. Thus far, we are on target to achieve many of our primary goals. In these first three years, we have recruited and selected talented and financially eligible students to participate in the program, retaining at least 90% of these scholars into each successive year. We have also provided these scholars with increased educational opportunities in and outside of the classroom. These opportunities include a seminar class featuring resume building, interview tips, and speakers from regional industries (Bayer and Oak Ridge National Labs) and graduate schools (University of Tennessee and University of Alabama at Birmingham). Additionally, we have provided industry and graduate school tours at different points throughout the academic year, resulting in successful internships for some of the scholars and thereby meeting one of Lee University's Quality Enhancement Plan goals. Through these educational opportunities and supports, the retention rate and persistence in STEM of our first cohort exceeds that of their peers in STEM at Lee (Cohort 1 at 100% vs. all STEM at 71%). This program is an example of the success made possible from introducing students to successful mentors in the community and the type of power that learning communities can have on students from a variety of backgrounds.Support or Funding InformationNational Science Foundation S‐STEMThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.