Gateway Scholars Program - reducing barriers to STEM for undergraduate students through scholarship and supportive...

Area of Science:

• STEM Education
• Higher Education
• Student Success Programs

Background:

• National Science Foundation (NSF) funding supports programs for academically talented undergraduate students with financial need.
• Broadening participation in STEM is a critical goal for many institutions.
• Effective strategies for student retention and success in STEM are continuously sought.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the Gateway Scholars Program, an NSF-S-STEM initiative.
• To establish a mentored cohort program for undergraduate STEM students.
• To generate knowledge on the impact of program activities on student retention, success, and degree attainment.

Main Methods:

• Recruitment of academically talented undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need.
• Implementation of a mentored cohort program.
• Integration of evidence-based instructional practices and enhanced risk-based advising.
• Engagement of students in co-curricular experiences.

Main Results:

• The program focused on retention, student success, and degree attainment for STEM scholars.
• Knowledge was generated regarding the effectiveness of curricular and co-curricular activities.
• The program's impact on broadening participation in STEM was investigated.

Conclusions:

• The Gateway Scholars Program provides a model for supporting financially needy STEM students.
• Evidence-based practices in STEM education can enhance student outcomes.
• Findings have the potential to inform and impact all STEM departments regarding student support systems.