Transcript No Slide Title

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
PALO ALTO COLLEGE
Timothy P. Scott, Ph.D.
Carmen Velasquez
Adrienne Bentz
January 25, 2012
Ft. Worth, Texas
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EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH THE
SCIENCE SCHOLARS PROGRAM
STEM Transfer from Community College
to a Large Research University
Carmen Velasquez
Director of Student Engagement and Retention
Palo Alto College
Timothy P. Scott, Ph.D.
Associate Dean
College of Science, Texas A&M University
SCIENCE SCHOLARS PROGRAM:
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A National Science Foundation (NSF) funded effort
to increase the number of students receiving
bachelor's degrees in Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
.
National Science Foundation: Scholarships in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
DUE-0728685 - $597,435
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
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The Science Scholars Program has the following objectives:
1. Build collaboration with Palo Alto College to increase number of STEM majors
transferring to TAMU.
2. Increase matriculation of academically talented, traditionally underrepresented
minority transfer students from Palo Alto College.
3. Use best practices from established first generation in college freshman
programs to build similar learning communities for transfer students from Palo
Alto College.
4. Increase retention and graduation rates of STEM students transferring to TAMU
through this program.
5. Increase the involvement of underrepresented students in undergraduate
research.
PALO ALTO TO TEXAS A&M:
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180 miles/approx 3hrs:
Distance from PAC to TAMU
PALO ALTO COLLEGE:
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• Established in 1983
• Campus opened its doors in 1987
• Originally built on 111 acres and served 2,050 students
• Currently 146 acres and serving over 9,400 students
PALO ALTO COLLEGE STUDENTS:
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Palo Alto College Enrollment by Ethnicity Spring 2011
Race/Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
Asian
International
Other & Unknown
Total
Enrollment
2542
6307
282
94
0
188
9,413
% Total
27%
67%
3%
1%
0%
2%
100%
Palo Alto College Student Characteristics Spring 2011
Student Characteristic
Number/Percentage
Total Enrollment
9,413
Average Age
25
Gender Distribution: Male/Female
38/62%
Ethnicity
67% Hispanic
Economically Disadvantaged
First-Generation College Students
Need-Based Financial Aid
Recipient
Limited English Proficient
Full-Time/Part-Time Status
63%
70%
68%
10%
24/76%
PALO ALTO COLLEGE :
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STEM MAJORS
AY 08-09 AY 08-09 AY 09-10 AY 09-10 AY 10-11 AY 10-11 *AY 11-12 AY 11-12
Majors Graduates Majors Graduates Majors Graduates Majors Graduates
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION
SCIENCES AND SUPPORT
SERVICES
127
14
148
28
474
32
488
n/a
ENGINEERING
126
7
133
5
297
5
224
n/a
BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL
SCIENCES
199
8
224
10
282
7
291
n/a
MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS
45
4
34
2
42
3
29
n/a
1488
50
1554
39
1987
40
1622
n/a
HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND
RELATED PROGRAMS
PALO ALTO COLLEGE :
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Top Reasons Students attend Palo Alto College
• Proximity to home
• Affordability
• Small, student friendly environment
• Growing STEM majors
Active Student Clubs – Tri Beta Biological Honors Society, Society
of Future Engineers
Increase in STEM tutoring centers
Rigorous science and math programs
PALO ALTO COLLEGE :
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TOP 5 Transfer Institutions
• Texas A&M University – San Antonio
• University of Texas at San Antonio
• Texas State University – San Marcos
• St. Mary’s University – San Antonio
• University of the Incarnate Word – San Antonio
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY:
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Texas A&M University Enrollment by Ethnicity Fall 2010
Race/Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
Multi-Racial Afr. Am.
Asian
International
Other & Unknown
Total
Enrollment
32,954
7020
1525
189
2149
4284
1008
49,129
% Total
67.1%
14.3%
3.1%
.4%
4.4%
8.7%
2.1%
100%
TEXAS A&M Student Characteristics Fall 2010
Student Characteristic
Number/Percentage
Total Enrollment
49,129
Average Age
18-21
Gender Distribution: Male/Female
53.6/46.4%
Ethnicity
67% White
First-Generation College Students
26%
Full-Time/Part-Time Status
75/24%
FIRST STEPS:
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•
Articulation Agreement – December 2006
•
Campus Administration
Program Coordination – point of contact at PAC and TAMU
STEM Faculty
Advisors
Financial Aid Offices
•
Alignment of Degree Plans – Coursework
Introductory Biology
Inorganic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Physics
Math
RECIPIENTS:
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• Up to $10,000 in scholarship funding per year per student
2 yr/4 yr – Associate’s – Bachelor’s Science
2 yr/5 yr – Associate’s – Bachelor’s Engineering
• Participate in Learning Community at PAC and TAMU
• Limited work hours
• Research Opportunities
RECRUITMENT
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Target Audience:
• Incoming Freshmen to PAC – min. Math SAT 550, top 10% of high
school class, participate in Campus Connections/PAC Access Point
• Existing PAC students min. 3.0 GPA , STEM majors
• Interest in transferring to TAMU to complete bachelor’s degree in
STEM
• Financial Aid Eligibility – complete FAFSA
Recruited by:
• Recruitment Socials – Student Center info tables
• Campus Fliers
• Recruitment Letter sent to qualified students
• Identified by STEM faculty members
• Financial Aid office
• TAMU Prospective Student Center in San Antonio
PROGRAM TO DATE:
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•
21 students selected as
Science Scholars
•
18 Science Scholars have
transferred to Texas A&M
University
•
3 students from first cohort
graduated in spring 2011
•
7 students projected to
graduate in 2012
Science Scholars
Female
Male
Hispanic
White
Other
21
16
6
14 (67%)
6 (29%)
1 (5%)
PROGRAM COMPONENTS:
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beginning at Palo Alto
•
Science Scholars Banquet/Orientation
•
AggiE-folio – web-based electronic portfolio
Study Schedules – course/exams
Math Skills
Critical Thinking
Technology Skills
Writing/Communication Skills
Leadership/Extracurricular
•
Student Learning Center Hours
•
PAC-TAMU shared advising
•
Limited work schedules
ESSENTIAL TRANSITION COMPONENTS:
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• Student/family visits to Texas A&M University
Transfer Information Day
Aggieland Saturday
• Student Support – Non-traditional Students
Students with families and children
Single parent
Spouse relocation
Veterans – contacts on campus, medical care
TAMU SCIENCE SCHOLARS ORIENTATION
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Held in August – beginning of academic year
Attendees: All Scholars – current and new to TAMU
Welcome and Introductions – all
Student Panel – current scholars
What I wish I had known as I entered TAMU?
What was the biggest challenge I faced transitioning?
What was the most helpful thing I discovered to help with my transition and academic success?
Q&A
Life in Aggieland – Getting Around
Backpack of goodies
Campus resources
Facebook
Timetables on foot
Living arrangements
Campus layout
Bus Routes
Maps of the community
Lunch/Network – find out something you didn’t already know about someone
Academics
Courses in degree plans
Progress towards degree
Scholarship timetable (expires in two years)
Study Skills
Schedules – schedules – schedules!!
Identify possible study groups
Plans for weekend travel - impact on study time, caution when driving, etc.
Input from current scholars - study skills, groups and tips
LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITY:
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• On campus living – Residence Halls
• Off campus living
• Monthly Science Scholars Meetings
• Facebook
• Socials
Fall – Spring Socials for Scholars
Before Final Exams Social
Graduation Celebrations
Student Organizations
Rec Center
MONTHLY MEETINGS
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All Scholars – Fall and Spring
• Food
• Semester Timelines - Deadlines
Q-drops
Mapping of Schedules
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•
•
•
•
•
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Agenda – Topics – Resources
Student Counseling Services
Career Center
Research Opportunities
LSAMP
Graduate School
Professional School
ADVISING
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• Departmental Advisors
• Advising monthly through program
• One size does not fit all
2+2 – 2+3
• Multiple Majors – across Colleges
• Excess Credit Hours
• Pathways to graduation and career pursuit
• Peer Advising:
Schedules/Combination of Classes
Selection/Insight of Professors
Study Groups
Transition
Transfer Shock
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• GPR
• Other Issues
Homesick
Death
Legal
Veterans Affairs
Community
RESEARCH EXPERIENCES
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• Depth of knowledge through experience
• Different from books – real world
applications
• Exposure to graduate education
• Poster Competitions
• Additional support through grant
opportunities - LSAMP, awards,
fellowships
LESSONS LEARNED
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• Recruitment challenging
• Campus Admission
• Rewards for CC partner
• Alignment of plans and obtaining Associate’s
Degree
• Learning Community at CC
• No established program for all other transfers on
campus
• Excess Credit Hours
• Data Collection