Identifying Significant Features that Impact URM Student Academic Success and Retention Upmost Using Qualitative Methodologies: Focus Groups

Alkhasawneh, Ruba; Hargraves, Rosalyn Hobson

doi:10.18260/1-2--21468

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…The VCU LSAMP program offered various STEM SIPs over its fourteen-year history, including transition programs, research experiences, mentoring, scholarship programs, etc., that engage undergraduate AALANAI STEM majors. During that time, the VCU LSAMP team has conducted studies and evaluations to improve program outcomes (Alkhasawneh R. and Hobson, 2009;Alkhasawneh R. and Hobson, 2010;Alkhasawneh, R. and Hobson 2011;Alkhasawneh R. and Hargraves, 2012;Brinkley et al, 2014;Alkhasawneh R. and Hargraves, 2014;Griggs et al, 2016). In 2015, the VCU team conducted a preliminary research study on the design and implementation of the VCU LSAMP Hybrid Summer Transition Program and accompanying intervention programs, and to facilitate student academic and social integration into VCU.…”

Section: Virginia Commonwealth University Preliminary Study: An Exploration Of Factors Influencing Vcu Lsamp Students' Decisions To Stay mentioning

confidence: 99%

What’s Your STEMspiration?: Adaptation and Validation of A Survey Instrument

et al. 2021

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Millions of dollars each year are invested in intervention programs to broaden participation and improve bachelor degree graduation rates of students enrolled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. The Virginia–North Carolina Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (VA-NC Alliance), a consortium of 11 higher education institutions and one federal laboratory funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), is one such investment., The VA-NC Alliance partners implement evidence-based STEM intervention programs (SIPs) informed by research and specifically designed to increase student retention and graduation rates in STEM majors. The VA-NC Alliance is conducting an Alliance-wide longitudinal research project based in Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) titled “What’s Your STEMspiration?” The goal of the research project is to assess the differentiated impacts and effectiveness of the Alliance’s broadening participation efforts and identify emergent patterns, adding to the field of knowledge about culturally responsive SIPs. In other words, “What’s Your STEMspiration?” explores what influences and inspires undergraduates to pursue a STEM degree and career; and how does the development of a STEM identity support students in achieving their goals. In order to complete this research, the research team developed a survey instrument to conduct the quantitative portion of the study. Two preliminary studies, statistical analysis, and cognitive interviews were used to develop and validate the survey instrument. This paper discusses the theoretical and conceptual frameworks and preliminary studies upon which the survey is built, the methodology used to validate the instrument, and the resulting final survey tool.

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Section: Virginia Commonwealth University Preliminary Study: An Exploration Of Factors Influencing Vcu Lsamp Students' Decisions To Stay mentioning

confidence: 99%

What’s Your STEMspiration?: Adaptation and Validation of A Survey Instrument

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The VCU LSAMP program has offered various programs over its 13 years history. During this time several studies have been conducted to evaluate the programs and assess the influence those programs have on students' decisions to remain in STEM disciplines (Alkhasawneh and Hobson 2009;Alkhasawneh and Hobson 2010;Alkhasawneh and Hobson 2011;Hargraves 2012, Alkhasawneh andBrinkley et al, 2014;Griggs et al, 2016;Griggs and James, 2019). The current day VCU LSAMP programs include a hybrid summer transition program for new students including first time freshmen and transfer students, a spring transition program for new transfer students, a peer mentoring program, an academic success seminar in the fall semester, and career readiness series in the spring semester.…”

Section: Louis Stokes Alliance For Minority Participation @Virginia Commonwealth Universitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementing a Hybrid Summer Transition Program

et al. 2021

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The mission of the Virginia Commonwealth University Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (VCU LSAMP) program is to increase the retention and graduation rates of students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors and those who matriculate into graduate programs. VCU LSAMP offers a hybrid summer transition program (HSTP) focused on facilitating the high school to college and two-year to four-year college transition process for students majoring in STEM disciplines. The goals of the program are to 1) build community among a cohort of students, 2) orient students to VCU, 3) prepare students for the academic rigors of their first year in a STEM discipline at VCU, 4) expose students to opportunities and careers in STEM, 5) engage them in the VCU LSAMP program, and 6) provide financial support. Five distinct components of the VCU HSTP are 1) a six-week online summer component, 2) a 1 week on-campus orientation, 3) a Design Project Challenge, 4) a transfer student track, and 5) an academic year component. Evaluation data reveals that the HSTP assisted participants with adjustment to the college schedule and setting, facilitated the formation of study groups, and increased overall motivation to graduate. The online courses helped familiarize students with both the academic topics in their chemistry and mathematics classes and the behaviors and norms of STEM majors. On average, participants in the HSTP had higher retention (85%) and graduation (73%) rates when compared with their peers (81% and 64%, respectively). Furthermore, those students who complete the online classes’ requirements had a higher probability of receiving a grade of B or better in their first mathematics or chemistry class.

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Identifying Significant Features that Impact URM Student Academic Success and Retention Upmost Using Qualitative Methodologies: Focus Groups

Cited by 2 publications

References 11 publications

What’s Your STEMspiration?: Adaptation and Validation of A Survey Instrument

What’s Your STEMspiration?: Adaptation and Validation of A Survey Instrument

Implementing a Hybrid Summer Transition Program

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