The Liberal Arts Science Scholars Program: A Multidisciplinary Model for Supporting Science and Mathematics Students through the First Year Switching the focus to college, authors Jessica L. Chapman, Adam D. Hill, Judith Nagel-Myers, and Ivan P. Ramler observed the first year of the Liberal Arts Science Scholars program and discuss early signs of how the scholarships will improve retention in STEM in low-income students. Their findings can be found in their article, “The Liberal Arts Science Scholars Program: A Multidisciplinary Model for Supporting Science and Mathematics Students through the First Year.”

Abstract

The opportunities available at small liberal arts colleges, such as small class sizes, hands-on learning experiences, and meaningful interactions between faculty and students, can produce STEM professionals that are well equipped to make valuable contributions to the STEM workforce. Blinded University received a five-year Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to create the Liberal Arts Science Scholars program (award #XXXXXXX), which makes a high quality liberal arts STEM education accessible to high achieving, Pell Grant eligible students by providing merit scholarships and specialized supports. The program’s supports are designed to combat three of the main barriers to STEM persistence: capacity, interest, and belonging. This paper describes the first year of the Liberal Arts Science Scholars program and provides evidence for the program’s ability to serve as a model for improving the retention and academic success of low-income students in STEM.