RESULTS OF THE 2YC RESEARCH PROGRAM S.O.L.A.R.I.S. (STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES IN LEARNING ADVANCED RESEARCH IN THE GEOSCIENCES) IN STUDENT RETENTION AND SUCCESS AT EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The SOLARIS (Student Opportunity for Learning Advanced Research In geoScience) Program is a National Science Foundation funded track-one, multi-faceted program aimed to increase participation, particularly for minority students, in the geosciences at El Paso Community College (EPCC). The program’s key component is a research/mentoring program that facilitated over 10 EPCC geological science majors to conduct geological research projects while enrolled in EPCC’s Geological Sciences Associates degree program. Students were mentored by EPCC and UTEP (University of Texas at El Paso) instructors and used facilities and equipment at both institutions. This facet to the SOLARIS project allowed EPCC students to develop formative research skills while obtaining their AS degree at EPCC as well as introduced them to faculty and facilities at the UTEP Geoscience Department. To date the SOLARIS program has facilitated over 17 student research projects at EPCC, produced 10 Associate of Science degrees from EPCC, and has had a 100 percent matriculation rate to the UTEP Geological Science BS degree program for students who have participated in the SOLARIS program.