KEEPING WOMEN IN STEM MAJORS: THE PENN STATE HARRISBURG STEM SCHOLARS PROGRAM

While initiatives to gain students from underrepresented groups in STEM fields are growing, this group of students is also the most at-risk for leaving their programs due to the lack of a support network. The Penn State Harrisburg STEM Scholarship program is designed to retain enrollment in underrepresented, first-generation, and low-income STEM college students in central Pennsylvania. This scholarship program uses a multi-faceted approach to engage students in extracurricular activities, including participation in the STEM Scholars club, monthly colloquia, volunteer assignments, and peer and faculty mentoring opportunities. Success of the program is measured through retention rates, weekly journals, and attitudinal assessment tools.

Here we present the promising initial results from the Penn State Harrisburg STEM Scholarship program. First-year STEM scholars are paired with a peer mentor in the same or a similar major, in addition to pairing every STEM scholar with a faculty mentor. After conducting a mentor/mentee training session, the peer mentoring teams meet on a monthly basis throughout the semester. Effectiveness of the mentoring programs is analyzed through a series of pre-, mid-, and post-year assessments. These assessments are designed to identify longitudinal changes in the self-efficacy of undergraduate STEM students. Results obtained indicate a slight improvement in metacognitive strategies, goal orientation, resource management, and academic performance. Additionally, many STEM scholars express interest in participating in future mentoring programs. The success of the mentoring program, coupled with the scholarship funds, monthly colloquia, and volunteer opportunities enhances the STEM experience of women and underrepresented populations at Penn State Harrisburg and can be utilized at other institutions.