Year 1 Summary of NSF Project: Work-focused Experiential Learning to Increase STEM Student Retention and Graduation at Two-year Hispanic-serving Institutions

Project Overview

This NSF-supported initiative at Phoenix College aims to enhance STEM student retention and graduation rates by providing work-focused experiential learning opportunities, with a particular emphasis on Hispanic students. The project focuses on building cross-sector partnerships, engaging students in Computer Information Systems (CIS) and STEM work experiences, and expanding successful practices to other institutions.

Key Goals and Activities:

1. Establish Cross-sector Partnerships:

   • Developed a diverse team of faculty and staff trained in STEM Evidence-based Student-Serving (STEM-ESS) assessment.

   • Hosted the Future of Work Summit, engaging nearly 250 participants to discuss industry needs and foster collaborations.

   • Formed an IT Advisory Council with South Mountain and Gateway Community Colleges.

2. Engage Students in Work-focused Learning:

   • Created processes for student internships and externships, resulting in two initial internship opportunities within Phoenix College's IT group.

   • Hired a Work-based Experiences Coordinator to manage internships and externships and developed a Career Development Trajectory Checklist.

3. Expand STEM-ESS to Other Departments:

   • Planned to extend STEM-ESS practices to the Physical, Life, and Social Sciences departments at Phoenix College.

   • Documented best practices to be shared with other two-year Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs).

4. Increase HSI Implementation of Evidence-based Practices:

   • Collected and analyzed data to support the intentional service of Latinx students, aiming to improve their success in STEM fields.

Major Accomplishments:

• Conducted training and professional development for faculty to enhance diversity and inclusion in computing.

• Organized virtual externships and professional development sessions in collaboration with industry partners.

• Established processes and surveys to evaluate the impact of internships and externships on students and employers.

Challenges and Adjustments:

• COVID-19 restrictions necessitated shifting to virtual learning environments and delayed some planned activities.

• Developed virtual work-based experiences to adapt to ongoing restrictions.

Plans for the Next Reporting Period:

• Complete ongoing internships and externships.

• Expand STEM-ESS assessment to other STEM departments.

• Continue developing cross-sector partnerships and document best practices for broader dissemination.

Impact and Future Directions:

• The project aims to create a sustainable model for integrating work-focused learning into STEM education at two-year HSIs.

• Continued collaboration with industry partners and other educational institutions will help bridge the gap between academic training and workforce needs, ultimately benefiting a diverse student population.

This initiative represents a significant step towards enhancing STEM education and career readiness for Hispanic students and other underrepresented groups, leveraging partnerships and experiential learning to drive student success.