| NSF Org: |
DUE Division Of Undergraduate Education |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | June 13, 2016 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | June 13, 2016 |
| Award Number: | 1564520 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Michael Davis
DUE Division Of Undergraduate Education EDU Directorate for STEM Education |
| Start Date: | June 15, 2016 |
| End Date: | May 31, 2022 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $447,775.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $447,775.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
1107 S 16TH AVE YAKIMA WA US 98902-5331 (509)575-2350 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
16th & Nob Hill Boulevard Yakima WA US 98907-2520 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | S-STEM-Schlr Sci Tech Eng&Math |
| Primary Program Source: |
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| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.076 |
ABSTRACT
The New Scientist Training (NeST) program at Yakima Valley Community College (YVCC) will improve the performance of low-income and first-generation college students interested in earning a degree in a STEM. The program will provide financial support to a minimum of 32 participants organized in four cohorts. The ultimate objective of the project is to bolster the pipeline of Hispanic and other first-generation scientists from poorer backgrounds in the Yakima Valley who excel in technical fields. The program will utilize five key elements: incentivized scholarships to be awarded for academic performance; undergraduate research opportunities; formation of a STEM club; expanded tutoring; and proactive advising.
A two-tiered approach will be utilized to capture critical data and provide information to substantiate the degree to which the project is meeting stated outcome objectives. The first tier of data collection and analysis will be quantitative, utilizing primarily YVCC's Student Management Information System to collect information about student demographics and persistence objectives. The second tier will rely on qualitative data systematically gathered from faculty, staff, and students participating in various aspects of the project. The result will be evidence that can be used at other institutions to improve underrepresented student performance and persistence in the sciences.
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PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
In 2016, Yakima Valley College, a two-year Hispanic-Serving Institution, received a $447,775 NSF S-STEM award entitled, "The New Scientist Training Program (NeST)." Designed to support greater academic success for community college STEM students, the program prioritized activities that reduced student financial burdens, increased retention and assisted in transfer. Among college students, associate degree seekers are more likely to carry the weight of a job, dependents and financial stress which limits the potential of a vast national pool of talent in STEM. The NeST program enhanced the performance and outcomes of low-income and first-generation college students interested in earning an associate degree in a STEM field.
Financial support: Selected participants became NeST scholars and received financial support in the form of scholarships and research stipends. In total, we awarded scholarships to 52 students with a total disbursement of $282,647. Furthermore this project supported 20 students in undergraduate research. Several NeST scholars described the financial support as key to allowing more time for focusing on their studies.
Retention: NeST scholars had a retention rate of 86% which far exceeded our goal of 63%. Retention was likely improved by the frequent mentoring and advising, involvement in the YVC STEM club and the alleviation of financial burden through scholarships.
Transfer: NeST scholars successfully transferred to universities and pursued further STEM education at rates that exceeded our goals. Out of 43 NeST scholars for which we have information, 41 transferred to a program that included further STEM-related studies.
Sustainability: The NeST program supported the creation of a student STEM club and increased undergraduate research opportunities. Research collaborations with local STEM industry and governmental labs have increased opportunities for students to build their professional networks. Using effective assessment strategies has ensured that these elements of the program continue beyond the duration of the grant.
Summary: The NeST program supported more than fifty students in their pursuit of STEM careers and catalyzed STEM improvements at Yakima Valley College.
Last Modified: 09/07/2022
Modified by: Matthew Loeser
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