Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. IINSPIRE-LSAMP is supported by NSF Award Number: HRD-11619654, 2016-2021. Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, 3210 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.

Leveraging IINSPIRE-LSAMP Iowa Illinois Nebraska STEM Partnership to Develop Summer Bridge Programs for Fostering

STEM Identity

Jim Swartz--Grinnell College, Sharmin Sikich--Doane, University, Carmen Jones-- Iowa State University, Angela McKinney--Nebraska Wesleyan University,

LeAnn Faidley--Wartburg College

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IINSPIRE Alliance Overview

• IINSPIRE: Iowa Illinois Nebraska STEM Partnership for Innovation in Research and Education

• NSF LSAMP Program: Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation• Alliance among 16 two-year and four-year colleges and universities:

• To broaden the participation of underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in the Midwest.

• To support students, increase their success, and provide them with academic, research, training, and mentoring opportunities.

• NSF Grant• In our second 5-year grant

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IINSPIRE Alliance Institutions

A. Augustana CollegeB. Des Moines Area Community CollegeC. Doane UniversityD. Eastern Iowa Community College DistrictE. Grinnell CollegeF. Hawkeye Community CollegeG. Iowa State UniversityH. Iowa Valley Community College DistrictI. Kirkwood Community CollegeJ. Little Priest Tribal CollegeK. Luther CollegeL. Nebraska Wesleyan UniversityM. University of IowaN. University of Northern IowaO. Upper Iowa UniversityP. Wartburg College

• 3 Iowa Regents’ universities• 5 community colleges/districts in

Iowa and 1 tribal college in Nebraska• 7 private colleges/universities in

Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska

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NSF Alliance Goals

• Increase individual student retention and progression to baccalaureate degrees for underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.

• Enable successful transfer of underrepresented students from 2-year and 4-year institutions in STEM programs.

• Increase access to high quality undergraduate research experiences.

• Facilitate seamless transition of underrepresented students into STEM graduate programs.

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Goals of Professional Development Activities • Encourage and enable faculty and staff to fulfill the goals of the alliance and in

particular their individual and campus goals related to the alliance goals.

• Provide some resource materials for campuses using precedents from within the alliance and beyond

• Assist faculty and staff from the alliance in working collaboratively to develop approaches and materials to use to further their goals.

• Facilitate sharing of accomplishments and materials developed in a way that they can inspire and be used by others.

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Areas of Focus Thus Far

• Summer Bridging Programs• Building a Sense of Community• Supporting the Whole Student• Using Societal Issues to Recruit and Retain STEM

Students• Authentic Inquiry and Research-like Experiences• Using JiT approaches for Quantitative Skills in STEM

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Overall Approach

• Identify common areas of interest in program development or other improvement

• Identify individuals or programs within or outside our alliance with expertise

• Offer workshops to both present and engage participants in collaborative development

• Find additional resources• Assist in collaboration and in dissemination of

outcomes

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Summer Bridging Programs

It was a priority of our first grant to leverage the Alliance to develop summer bridge programs on multiple institutions. Iowa State University and Grinnell College had long offered quite different programs. The Alliance gathered information on those and other programs at non-Alliance institutions and offered several workshops for interested participants.

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New Bridge Programs

• Doane University—Sharmin Sikich• Iowa State University—Carmen Jones• Nebraska Wesleyan University—Angela McKinney• Wartburg College—LeAnn Faidley

https://serc.carleton.edu/lsamp/bridging.html

2019 Bridge to Science and Mathematics ProgramDoane UniversityDr. Sharmin SikichAssociate Professor of ChemistryIINSPIRE-LSAMP Campus DirectorSharmin.Sikich@doane.edu

Introduction to the Bridge Program Build community for underrepresented students interested in STEM Provide students skills to succeed in college Began in 2012 to reach out to diverse students as part of our NSF LSAMP

program and expanded in recent years to be more inclusive Recruiting done through email, regular mail Important for building LSAMP cohort

Format Students move in 3-4 days

before the regular move in date for new freshman Most activities during the day

Goals of Doane’s Bridge program

Create community for new students Break down barriers with faculty Provide in-depth introduction to

campus services Introduce students to research and

careers in STEM Math/science prep

Accomplishing Goals

Day 1: The start of the community.

Day 2: Developing skills, mentor relationships, and research knowledge.

Day 3: Careers in STEM and campus support

Day 4: Developing skills and relationships with faculty

Example Activity: Lock boxes for prizes Students work with

faculty to solve problems Lock boxes hidden

throughout Lied – only clues given for their location

Evaluations Positive feedback Most negative comments are

about time Students feel better

acquainted with campus Importance of research

Bridge and LSAMP Program Successes Participants engaging in research

early Acceptance to other research

programs: NSF-IRES, UNMC COPH, REUs, Doane DIVAS

More than tripled the number of URM STEM students getting support for research projects

Bridge Students attend Conferences IINSPIRE-LSAMP ABRCMS, LSMCE, SACNAS ACS INBRE NCUR NAS

Rise-UP Program Carmen Jones, Graduate Assistant, IINSPIRE LSAMP

• The primary goal is to assist community college students as they prepare to transfer to 4-year institutions

• Participants gain valuable research experience in a research laboratory based on their STEM interests

• Participation in professional development workshops• Paired with research mentor• Present posters at summer research symposium

RISEUP

Program Benefits

• Networking with a community of peers, mentors, faculty, and administrators in STEM

• Participate in professional and educational development activities

• Presenting research at professional conferences and symposiums

RISEUP

Program Criteria

• College GPA of 3.0 or higher• Member of an underrepresented group• Courses in STEM discipline• Recommendations from advisors or CC faculty• Must be able to commute to Iowa State• Participants must be funded by their home

institution• Typically 6-8 students are admitted

RISEUP

Application Process

• submit application by deadline• receive admission notification by email• paired with faculty mentor• faculty member and student correspond• receive information on orientation • submit research project information form

RISEUP

Overview of summer activities

• Faculty mentors confirmed• Research Ethics training• Summer orientation• 24 hours/week in lab • Professional development/communication

workshops• Weekly socials• Present research project at IINSPIRE LSAMP

Research Symposium

RISEUP

Additional Benefits• Eligible to receive funding support for: participation

in summer research experiences and/or internships• Funding for research supplies• Eligible for travel funding for conferences and

professional meetings

RISEUP

Nebraska Wesleyan University—SUMMER TRANSITION PROGRAM

Angela McKinney, PhD, Professor of Biology Email: amckinne@nebrwesleyan.edu

LSAMP AT NWU

Main Goals & Objectives Increase the number of underrepresented minority

students graduating in STEM Assist underrepresented minorities in building a

science identityProvide opportunities for increased faculty-student

engagement, peer mentoring, internship, & research opportunities

SUMMER TRANSITION PROGRAM

4-day program for all incoming first-year students of color interested in STEM

Held the last week in July Welcome reception for parents and students Current LSAMP students serve as mentors Academic skill development workshops Field trips & laboratory exercises Community-building activities Reflection presentations

SUMMER TRANSITION PROGRAM

CHALLENGES FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

Academic Rigor Study & time management Self Advocacy

Identify need Identify & seek resources

Stress ManagementCounseling Center to support systemFirst 5 visits free ($10)

Home Sickness

HOW FACULTY & STAFF SUPPORT OUR PROGRAM

Intrusive advising & student support Faculty mentoring Faculty-student research opportunities at NWU

& elsewhere Workshop development or teaching for the

summer transition program Participating in monthly meetings & activities

throughout the academic year, including annual Alliance conference

STUDENT PERSPECTIVE

“The LSAMP Transition Program was the absolute best time of my life. I met great people, made amazing friends, and had a wonderful time. Everyone made the idea of college more exciting.” - Stephanie Alvarado

STUDENT PERSPECTIVE

“The LSAMP Transition Program is an indescribable blessing. Three days committed to blossoming new friendships with fellow minority students, engaging with faculty who care for you far beyond the classroom, & meeting with speakers in your intended field & listening to their stories...the failures & triumphs that brought them to where they are today. The experience was irreplaceable, inconceivable, and positively beautiful.” – Alyssa Johnson

ACADEMIC YEAR PROGRAMMING

Main goalsSkill development (including self-advocacy)Understanding & navigating the sociocultural

context & philosophy of scienceCareer exploration Identity development (intersectionality in STEM,

science identity)Community outreach (e.g., Lincoln Public Schools) Established peer mentor-mentee relationship

ACADEMIC YEAR PROGRAMMING

Monthly meetingsWorkshops: study skills,

time management, professionalism, presentation skills, scientific writing, holistic health, goal setting

Guest speakers (e.g., Dr. Dave Stovall, Dr. Ebony McGee, Dr. Garcia-Ruiz)

Community-building over (free) food

IINSPIRE LSAMP ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Meeting of Alliance institutions that happens every February

Interactive workshops, keynote presentations, & roundtables for faculty, staff, & students

NWU students participate in poster presentations and panel discussions

NWU hosted the Alliance conference in 2016 in Des Moines, IA

Student participation is expected

IINSPIRE LSAMPANNUAL CONFERENCE

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Mean cumulative GPA = 3.45 Retention rate of LSAMP students = 85% (mean

NWU retention rate is 81%) Continual growth (about 35 active members) Transition program – 7th year; 8 students this year Summer Research Experiences Currently have between 15-20 students attend

monthly meetings on a regular basis. Students feel a sense of community within LSAMP

STUDENT ACOMPLISHMENTS

UNMC’s Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP)

Students conduct research University of Nebraska (Dr. Hernan Garcia-Ruiz)University of Nebraska Medical Center University of IowaOn campus research opportunities

STUDENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Poster and oral presentations Alliance Annual Conference Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (November

2019)

Outreach to Randolph Elementary School 4-6 week hands on activities for K-2nd graders Science fair judges

OTHER POINTS OF PRIDE

Students are campus leaders (e.g., NSO leaders, PAs, Student Diversity Leadership Team, M.O.S.A.I.C. exec. members, Greek Life officers)

Students have been accepted into:UNMC College of DentistryUNMC Medical ProgramGraduate programs – University of HawaiiAccelerated nursing program

STUDENT PERSPECTIVE

“My mentors in the LSAMP program challenged me to pursue my dreams in the healthcare field and have been an incredible support system over the years. I would not be the person I am today without the opportunities and success the LSAMP program has provided me.” – Brittney DeWald

CHALLENGES

Collaborating & coordinating with the Admissions Office on recruitment efforts

Getting students to take advantage of opportunities

Intrusive advising with a small team Financing students who do not meet NSF

requirements

CONTACTS

Angela McKinney, Ph.D.Title: Professor of Biology Phone: (402) 465-2259Email: amckinne@nebrwesleyan.edu Office: Olin Hall Room 202

Candice HowellTitle: Assistant Dean for Student Success and Persistence Phone: (402) 465-2401Email: chowell@nebrwesleyan.edu Office: Cochrane-Woods Library

Lisette E. Torres-Gerald, Ph.D. Title: Director of the Cooper Foundation Center for Academic ResourcesPhone: (402) 465-2458Email: ltorres@nebrwesleyan.eduOffice: Cochrane-Woods Library Room 307

Wartburg College IINspire Pre-Orientation ProgramOct 26, 2019

Dr. LeAnn FaidleyAssociate Prof. of EngineeringIINspire Campus Director

• Identity• College of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (Rooted and Open)• Mission Driven

• Size and Representation• 1500 Students, 93 Faculty, 11:1 ratio• 35 states, 53 countries• 11% Under Represented Minority• 35% STEM (Overall & URM)• 60 IINspire Eligible students• Retention of URM is 20% lower than of majority students – more so in STEM

Context: Wartburg College

Wartburg College is dedicated to challenging and nurturing students for lives of leadership and service as

a spirited expression of their faith and learning.

• Location – Northeast Iowa

• Waverly, IA

• Pop. 10.000

• Rural College Town

2012Inherited IINspire

2013Examined

data & identified retention

issue

The Process

7/2013Conference on creating

Bridge Programs

Developed Wartburg’s

Pre-Orientation

Program

8/20141st IINspirePre-Orient. Program @ Wartburg

GrinnellCohort Focus

Scavenger HuntParent Letter draft

More $$ for more students

DoaneEarly move in

Academic & Career daysField Trip, Skill sessions

Nebraska WesleyanMid-summer session

Short Duration

Iowa State10 week summer session

Academic FocusedDependent on Peer Mentors

• Goal: To create connections

• With other IINspire students

• With upper class IINspire mentors

• With STEM faculty

• With resources for success

• With science

• Logistics

• 2.5 day program, immediately before Freshman Orientation

• 2-3 Peer Mentors help (early move in +$100)

• List of incoming IINspire students from admissions, e-mail invitations, letters to parents, online RSVP

• $50 stipend to Wartburg Store upon completion of the evaluation

Program Overview

Program Schedule & Highlights (Day 0.5)M

orni

ngAf

tern

oon

Even

ing

Move in

Welcome, Intros,

Campus Tour

Community Building

Day 0.5

Lead by peer mentors in the residence halls

Peer Mentors help students find their classrooms

Program Schedule & Highlights (Day 1)M

orni

ngAf

tern

oon

Even

ing

Career Success

Hands on STEM

Shopping

Day 1 Campus resources for careers, internships, and leadership opportunities.

Linked-in Profiles

Exploration of Strength Finder results.

Field biology at the river & water testing in the Chem Lab

Program Schedule & Highlights (Day 2)M

orni

ngAf

tern

oon

Even

ing

Academic Success 1

Academic Success 2

Dinner w/ STEM Faculty

Day 2 Resource Scavenger Hunt around campusprizes = meals with Dr. LeAnn

Faculty PanelStudent PanelURM Psychology

Academic Success ResourcesMentoringDiverse Perspectives

Speed Dating with STEM Faculty –faculty switch tables every 10 min.

• Participation

• 2014 – 10 RSVPs (4 STEM Grads, 2 NonSTEM Grads)

• 2015 – 14 RSVPs (15 invites, 5 STEM Grads, 3 NonSTEM Grads, 1 in progress)

• 2016 – 23 RSVPs (35 invites, 10 still STEM)

• 2017 – 16 RSVPs (33 invites, 13 still STEM)

• 2018 – 13 RSVPs (23 invites, 6 still in STEM)

• 2019 - 6 RSVPs (19 invites)

• Impact

• Greater sense of community and support

• More use of available resources

• More participation in IINspire Annual Conference

Participation & Impact

• Summer Knights (10 week summer academic bridge program) reimagined• Now Castle Connections: 1 week before classes + 1st semester class + ongoing mentoring• Overlap in students and times with IINspire PreOrientation program

• Director of Multicultural Students Services planned intensive PreOrienation program for students of color.• All students will overlap. Times will overlap.

• Attempt to find a way to combine all three of these for the relevant students• A number of sessions & scavenger hunt in common• Shorter PreOrientation Program (1.5 days)

• Observations• Low participation in IINspire. Session order didn’t make as much sense. A number of sessions

needed to be cut. Less cohort building because 3 of students were also in Castle Connections.• Needs more work and better clarity in communications.

2019 Partnerships

• Wartburg College

• LeAnn Faidley – leann.Faidley@wartburg.edu

Questions?

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Information on Bridge Programs

• Doane University—New• Grinnell College--Preexisting• Iowa State University—

– APEXE--Existing– RISEUP--New

• Nebraska Wesleyan University—New• Wartburg College—New

https://serc.carleton.edu/lsamp/bridging.html