PROMOTING STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH) SUCCESS AT HISPANIC SERVING INSTITUTIONS

Institutions of higher education along the Texas-Mexico border are on the front lines of the changing national demographic character. In response to the identified national need to maintain the U.S. global competitive advantage, Title III, Part F, Section 371 of the Higher Education Act authorized funds for the Hispanic Serving Institutions STEM and Articulation Program in 2007 and 2009. The legislation prioritizes funding for applications that propose to increase the number of Hispanic and other low income students attaining degrees in fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and to applications that propose to develop model transfer and articulation agreements between the 2- and 4-year schools.

In 2011, Sul Ross State University was one of 100 U.S. colleges and universities individually or in collaboration with another Hispanic Serving Institution to receive awards ranging from $350,000 to $1,200,000 per year for up to five consecutive years to modernize their STEM labs and engage in activities that will promote graduation. These events usher in a seemingly paradoxical time. State funding for higher education is declining. Increasing numbers of students come from backgrounds where English is an acquired language. Students may be the first of their family to attend college, working full time while attending, or both. In addition, the influences technological entertainment in society appear to conflict with technological ability in the classroom.

Funding for STEM to modernize labs represents a rare opportunity for colleges and universities who serve the emerging demographic majority to obtain the technology, instrumentation and equipment necessary to properly educate students in the sciences. But will the investment bear fruit in the form of increased graduates in the sciences? What successful strategies and interventions are proposed? What are the metrics of success? What are the barriers? What information and data will be gained through these projects? Will that information be effective in promoting STEM success in higher education? This presentation will focus on answering these questions.