HSI Implementation and Evaluation Project: Co-Curricular Strategies to Support Academically Challenged Diverse Undergraduate STEM Majors

HSI Implementation and Evaluation Project

Focus: Co-curricular strategies to support academically challenged diverse undergraduate STEM majors at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs)

Geographic Scope: Nova Southeastern University (Florida)

Project Description: The project assesses the impact of a new and innovative combination of timely coaching/mentoring and co-curricular strategies targeting a cohort of STEM majors who are placed on (or through early identification are deemed at risk of being placed on) academic probation.

Key Features:

• Coaches/mentors provide high-quality, asset-based services in a timely and continuous manner
• Serves as allies to facilitate positive academic mindset for Hispanic and other underrepresented STEM majors
• Provides guidance and referrals to high-quality wrap-around resources to address students' individual academic and personal needs

Goals and Objectives:

• Better understand issues in retention and degree attainment of STEM undergraduates
• Form a new Coaching Cohort providing holistic and timely support services for struggling STEM freshmen and sophomores
• Study effectiveness of coordinated coaching and co-curricular interventions for academically challenged diverse STEM majors at HSIs

Project Leadership:

• PI: Meline Kevorkian, Ed.D. (Associate Provost/Dean/Vice President of Academic Quality, Assessment, and Accreditation)
• Co-PI: Carmen Sosa (Director of Enrollment and Retention)
• Co-PI (Senior Personnel): Greg Simco, Ph.D. (Professor of Computer Science, Chair of Computing and Engineering Departments, PPOHA Grant Project Director)
• Faculty Members: Jason Gershman, Ph.D.; Maria Ballester, Ph.D.; Victor Lopez, Ph.D.; Frank Mitropoulos, Ph.D.; Jamie Tarter, Ph.D.; Jullienne Kabre, Ph.D.; Julia Torruellas Garcia, Ph.D.; James Munoz, Ph.D.; Victor Castro, Ph.D.