Bridging the Gap for STEM Students: Increasing Retention Rates in Higher Education Institutions — Presentation Detail — Celebration of Scholars

Instructions

Student presentations must have a faculty sponsor.

Abstracts must include a title and a description of the research, scholarship, or creative work. The description should be 150-225 words in length and constructed in a format or style appropriate for the presenter’s discipline.

The following points should be addressed within the selected format or style for the abstract:

A clear statement of the problem or question you pursued, or the scholarly goal or creative theme achieved in your work.
A brief comment about the significance or uniqueness of the work.
A clear description of the methods used to achieve the purpose or goals for the work.
A statement of the conclusions, results, outcomes, or recommendations, or if the work is still in progress, the results you expect to report at the event.

Presenter photographs should be head and shoulder shots comparable to passport photos.

Additional Information

More information is available at carthage.edu/celebration-scholars/. The following are members of the Research, Scholarship, and Creativity Committee who are eager to listen to ideas and answer questions:

Jun Wang
Kim Instenes
John Kirk
Nora Nickels
Andrew Pustina
James Ripley

Bridging the Gap for STEM Students: Increasing Retention Rates in Higher Education Institutions

Name: Cami Christopulos
Major: Marketing and Management
Hometown: Vernon Hills
Faculty Sponsor:
Other Sponsors: Greg Barron
Type of research: Senior thesis

Abstract

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) students are sought now more than ever out for the advancement of society, yet only about 40% of students in the US who enter into STEM undergraduate curricula will actually graduate with a STEM degree. This study aimed to uncover why STEM retention rates are low. Through secondary research, the results of this study conclude the main reasons to be lack of financial assistance, inadequate preparation for college, and lack of connection to the campus in terms of mentorships and faculty encouragement for future success. By investigating existing programs that address personal, classroom, and campus-wide low student retention factors, the programs were classified as providing mentorship opportunities, developing partnerships with other academic institutions, using online-based support, and creating academic support systems. In conducting primary research, STEM students indicated that they take part in a variety of STEM related activities, and feel that hands-on learning experiences are the best part of the fieldwork. Such students value professors who take the time to help them, and advisors that are knowledgeable and invest time in their advisees. By taking existing program efforts and developing new strategies based on the research conducted, this study presented key ideas to develop an effective retention program to increase rates and educate today’s youth for an increasingly competitive and highly technologically based global economy.

Poster file