Board 145: High-Achievers Scholarship Program in Computer Science and Mathematics

Abstract Our current S-STEM program is a joint program between the departments of Mathematical Sciences and Computer Science. The Mathematical Sciences Department offers BS, MA, and BA degrees in Mathematics and a BS in Actuarial Sciences. The Mathematical Sciences Department enrolls about 250 undergraduate students and 20 graduate students. The Computer Science Department offers BS and MS degrees in Computer Science and enrolls about 450 undergraduate students and 20 graduate students. The current S-STEM started in Spring 2014 as a joint program between the departments of Mathematics and Computer Science and has a 1:3 Math to CS ratio for the number of majors in the program. The goals of the program are to increase the high technology workforce and the number of CS and Math students pursuing graduate degrees by providing opportunities for talented, economically disadvantaged students. Out of the 39 participants in the current S-STEM program, 38 demonstrated high financial need and one had moderate need as determined by the expected family contribution reported by FASFA. Students coming from families in which the expected family contribution is less than $5234 (a value based upon the cost of attending our institution) are categorized as having high need. Our program has retained all but three of the scholars (92.3 percent). One of the three students who resigned from the program joined the military after his first semester and two students switched from CS to Computer Information Systems. Our S-STEM program also encourages students to continue their education and 13 of the 39 students have completed, or are in the process of completing, graduate degrees at our university. Considering that 96 percent of our university’s population is Caucasian, we have had some success in diversifying our S-STEM program where 15 percent are non-white. In addition, 23 percent of our S-STEM population is female and more than 68 percent of our S-STEM scholars are first generation college students.