2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Abstract

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program is designed to support academically talented students with financial need and to strengthen the STEM workforce through targeted academic and professional development initiatives. The BE-TEC (Building Exceptional Talent in Engineering & Computing) NSF S-STEM project at XXX XXX University (XXX) focuses on increasing retention, academic success, and graduation rates of students in Computer Science, Data Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Electrical Engineering.

The BE-TEC program integrates financial scholarships with comprehensive student support structures, including faculty and peer mentoring, academic tutoring, leadership training, undergraduate research opportunities, and industry-focused professional development. These components collectively create a supportive and collaborative learning environment that enhances persistence, fosters a strong sense of community, and prepares students for successful careers in computing and engineering fields.

This paper presents the objectives, structure, and outcomes of the NSF BE-TEC program, highlighting its measurable impact on student success indicators such as GPA improvement, retention rates, graduation rates, and post-graduation employment or graduate study. The findings demonstrate that combining financial support with intentional mentoring, engagement, and experiential learning can significantly improve student performance and persistence in computing and engineering disciplines. Lessons learned from this initiative can inform and guide similar programs nationwide in developing effective, scalable models for supporting STEM students.