2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

An S-STEM program supported by the National Science Foundation located at a regional public university in a large metropolitan area aims to increase four-year degree completion rates and close the equity gap in retention rates for students in STEM. The program, launched in 2022, provides full tuition scholarships, a limited cohort experience, and accessible professional development opportunities for 50 talented, low income students at a 100% commuter university. The campus student body consists of 46% Pell-eligible students, 31% students of color, and 47% first gen students, and so the program was designed with flexibility in mind, understanding that most students work or have family commitments that impede their ability to participate in co-curricular activities. This paper reports on the results from participants in the first two cohorts, who are now sophomores and juniors, with majors in Biochemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Software Engineering .

Early evidence suggests that the limited cohort model, with students sharing only two classes during their freshman year, along with supplementary programming provides robust academic onboarding and social connections that can be elusive on a commuter campus. Enrollment data from this group indicates a significant increase for second and third year retention on the campus as well as within STEM majors. The program has achieved an increase in success rates in both cohorted classes, like Calculus and General Chemistry, as well as non-cohorted classes like Calculus II and Introductory Biology. It is worth noting that every interested student who has met the eligibility requirements, with academic criteria including a 3.0 high school GPA and placement into Calculus I, has been accepted into the program.