TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

PALO ALTO COLLEGE

Timothy P. Scott, Ph.D.

Carmen Velasquez

Adrienne Bentz

January 25, 2012

Ft. Worth, Texas

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EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH THE SCIENCE SCHOLARS PROGRAM

STEM Transfer from Community College

to a Large Research University

Timothy P. Scott, Ph.D.

Associate Dean

College of Science, Texas A&M University

Carmen Velasquez

Director of Student Engagement and Retention

Palo Alto College

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SCIENCE SCHOLARS PROGRAM:

A National Science Foundation (NSF) funded effort to increase the number of students receiving bachelor's degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

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National Science Foundation: Scholarships in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics DUE-0728685 - $597,435

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The Science Scholars Program has the following objectives:

1. Build collaboration with Palo Alto College to increase number of STEM majors transferring to TAMU.

2. Increase matriculation of academically talented, traditionally underrepresented minority transfer students from Palo Alto College.

3. Use best practices from established first generation in college freshman programs to build similar learning communities for transfer students from Palo Alto College.

4. Increase retention and graduation rates of STEM students transferring to TAMU through this program.

5. Increase the involvement of underrepresented students in undergraduate research.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

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PALO ALTO TO TEXAS A&M:

180 miles/approx 3hrs: Distance from PAC to TAMU

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PALO ALTO COLLEGE:

•Established in 1983

•Campus opened its doors in 1987

•Originally built on 111 acres and served 2,050 students

•Currently 146 acres and serving over 9,400 students

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PALO ALTO COLLEGE STUDENTS:

Palo Alto College Enrollment by Ethnicity Spring 2011

Race/Ethnicity Enrollment % Total

White 2542 27%

Hispanic 6307 67%

African American 282 3%

Asian 94 1%

International 0 0%

Other & Unknown 188 2%

Total 9,413 100%

Palo Alto College Student Characteristics Spring 2011

Student Characteristic Number/Percentage

Total Enrollment 9,413Average Age 25Gender Distribution: Male/Female 38/62%Ethnicity 67% Hispanic

Economically Disadvantaged 63%

First-Generation College Students 70%

Need-Based Financial Aid Recipient 68%

Limited English Proficient 10%Full-Time/Part-Time Status 24/76%

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PALO ALTO COLLEGE :

STEM MAJORS AY 08-09 Majors

AY 08-09 Graduates

AY 09-10 Majors

AY 09-10 Graduates

AY 10-11 Majors

AY 10-11 Graduates

*AY 11-12 Majors

AY 11-12 Graduates

COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES

127 14 148 28 474 32 488 n/a

ENGINEERING 126 7 133 5 297 5 224 n/a

BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

199 8 224 10 282 7 291 n/a

MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS

45 4 34 2 42 3 29 n/a

HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS

1488 50 1554 39 1987 40 1622 n/a

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PALO ALTO COLLEGE :

Top Reasons Students attend Palo Alto College

•Proximity to home

•Affordability

•Small, student friendly environment

•Growing STEM majors

Active Student Clubs – Tri Beta Biological Honors Society, Society of Future Engineers

Increase in STEM tutoring centers

Rigorous science and math programs

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PALO ALTO COLLEGE :

TOP 5 Transfer Institutions

•Texas A&M University – San Antonio

•University of Texas at San Antonio

•Texas State University – San Marcos

•St. Mary’s University – San Antonio

•University of the Incarnate Word – San Antonio

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TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY:

TEXAS A&M Student Characteristics Fall 2010Student Characteristic Number/PercentageTotal Enrollment 49,129Average Age 18-21Gender Distribution: Male/Female 53.6/46.4%Ethnicity 67% WhiteFirst-Generation College Students 26%Full-Time/Part-Time Status 75/24%

Texas A&M University Enrollment by Ethnicity Fall 2010

Race/Ethnicity Enrollment % TotalWhite 32,954 67.1%Hispanic 7020 14.3%African American 1525 3.1%Multi-Racial Afr. Am. 189 .4%Asian 2149 4.4%International 4284 8.7%Other & Unknown 1008 2.1%Total 49,129 100%

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FIRST STEPS:

• Articulation Agreement – December 2006

• Campus Administration

Program Coordination – point of contact at PAC and TAMU

STEM Faculty

Advisors

Financial Aid Offices

• Alignment of Degree Plans – Coursework

Introductory Biology

Inorganic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry

Physics

Math

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RECIPIENTS:

•Up to $10,000 in scholarship funding per year per student

2 yr/4 yr – Associate’s – Bachelor’s Science2 yr/5 yr – Associate’s – Bachelor’s Engineering

•Participate in Learning Community at PAC and TAMU

•Limited work hours

•Research Opportunities

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RECRUITMENT

Target Audience:•Incoming Freshmen to PAC – min. Math SAT 550, top 10% of high school class, participate in Campus Connections/PAC Access Point•Existing PAC students min. 3.0 GPA , STEM majors•Interest in transferring to TAMU to complete bachelor’s degree in STEM•Financial Aid Eligibility – complete FAFSA

Recruited by:•Recruitment Socials – Student Center info tables•Campus Fliers•Recruitment Letter sent to qualified students•Identified by STEM faculty members•Financial Aid office•TAMU Prospective Student Center in San Antonio

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• 21 students selected as Science Scholars

• 18 Science Scholars have transferred to Texas A&M University

• 3 students from first cohort graduated in spring 2011

• 7 students projected to graduate in 2012

Science Scholars Female Male Hispanic White Other

21 16 6 14 (67%) 6 (29%) 1 (5%)

PROGRAM TO DATE:

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PROGRAM COMPONENTS:

beginning at Palo Alto

•Science Scholars Banquet/Orientation

•AggiE-folio – web-based electronic portfolio

Study Schedules – course/exams

Math Skills

Critical Thinking

Technology Skills

Writing/Communication SkillsLeadership/Extracurricular

•Student Learning Center Hours

•PAC-TAMU shared advising

•Limited work schedules

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ESSENTIAL TRANSITION COMPONENTS:

• Student/family visits to Texas A&M University

Transfer Information Day

Aggieland Saturday

• Student Support – Non-traditional Students

Students with families and children

Single parent

Spouse relocation

Veterans – contacts on campus, medical care

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TAMU SCIENCE SCHOLARS ORIENTATION

Held in August – beginning of academic yearAttendees: All Scholars – current and new to TAMU Welcome and Introductions – all

Student Panel – current scholars What I wish I had known as I entered TAMU?What was the biggest challenge I faced transitioning?What was the most helpful thing I discovered to help with my transition and academic success?Q&A

Life in Aggieland – Getting AroundBackpack of goodies Campus resources Facebook Timetables on footLiving arrangements Campus layout Bus Routes Maps of the community

Lunch/Network – find out something you didn’t already know about someone Academics

Courses in degree plansProgress towards degreeScholarship timetable (expires in two years)

Study SkillsSchedules – schedules – schedules!!Identify possible study groupsPlans for weekend travel - impact on study time, caution when driving, etc.Input from current scholars - study skills, groups and tips 

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LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITY:

• On campus living – Residence Halls

• Off campus living

• Monthly Science Scholars Meetings

• Facebook• Socials

Fall – Spring Socials for ScholarsBefore Final Exams SocialGraduation Celebrations Student OrganizationsRec Center

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MONTHLY MEETINGS

All Scholars – Fall and Spring• Food• Semester Timelines - Deadlines

Q-dropsMapping of Schedules

• Agenda – Topics – Resources• Student Counseling Services• Career Center• Research Opportunities• LSAMP• Graduate School• Professional School

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ADVISING

• Departmental Advisors• Advising monthly through program• One size does not fit all 2+2 – 2+3 • Multiple Majors – across Colleges• Excess Credit Hours• Pathways to graduation and career pursuit

• Peer Advising:Schedules/Combination of ClassesSelection/Insight of ProfessorsStudy GroupsTransition

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Transfer Shock

• GPR

• Other Issues Homesick

Death

Legal

Veterans Affairs

Community

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RESEARCH EXPERIENCES

• Depth of knowledge through experience

• Different from books – real world applications

• Exposure to graduate education

• Poster Competitions

• Additional support through grant opportunities - LSAMP, awards, fellowships

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LESSONS LEARNED

• Recruitment challenging

• Campus Admission

• Rewards for CC partner

• Alignment of plans and obtaining Associate’s Degree

• Learning Community at CC

• No established program for all other transfers on campus

• Excess Credit Hours

• Data Collection