Improve Retention Rate and Recruitment of Minority Students through Enhanced Mentoring and Summer Research Programs

Abstract

Kingsville, is interested in sustainable manufacturing, renewable energy, sustainability assessment, and engineering education. Dr. Li has served as P.I. and CoP .I. in different projects funded by NSF, DOEd, DHS, and HP, totaling more than 2.5 million dollars.

Board 139: Factors Affecting Enrollment, Retention, and Attrition of STEM Undergraduates at a Minority Serving Institution

“…Peer tutoring and/or mentoring programs -Curriculum difficulty is a key contributor to STEM students' career change and dropout [8], [9]. Peer tutoring and/or mentoring programs, where advanced or higher-grade level students help lower-grade level students with their courses and assignments, can contribute to students' performance and success by (a) helping them understand their courses better [20], [21], [23], [26], [27], [31], [32]; (b) advising them in choosing their courses in an optimal combination to enhance academic performance [20], [21]; (c) teaching them how to improve their study habits as well as other valuable academic skills; (d) building a support system where mentors positively encourage and inspire mentees [33]- [36]; and (e) developing connections and friendships, which further contributes not only to students' academic success, but also enhances their sense of belonging, overall well-being, and helps create a better academic environment for them. 7.…”