Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) III
Mission:
The HBCU-UP III program is a five year (2011-2016) grant funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and is administered by Dr. Robert Stolz, Program Director. HBCU-UP promotes excellence in the science, mathematics, engineering or technology (STEM) fields. The mission is to increase STEM student retention and persistence, and prepare them for entry into 21st Century STEM graduate programs and workforce.
Goals & Objectives:
1. One goal of this program is to provide a strong foundation for incoming UVI STEM students that meets both the needs of the incoming freshman student and the needs of the STEM curriculum. The objectives for this goal are:
a. Increase the pass rate for STEM students in the developmental mathematics courses (MAT 23 & 24) to 75%
b. Increase the number of students prepared for Calculus earlier in their undergraduate careers through a Math Behind the Science summer program
c. Increase the number of STEM students taking introductory computer programming courses earlier in their STEM undergraduate careers
d. Increase student knowledge about the expectations for success in a STEM curriculum
2. Another goal is to increase the first year retention rate for STEM majors from 67% to 75% and increase five year graduation rate from 22% to 30%. The objectives for this goal are:
a. Increase retention in STEM from 67% to 75%
b. Increase persistence to third year in STEM from 50% to 65%
c. increase knowledge of STEM pathways and STEM careers
d. Increase faculty-student mentoring and advising activities
Grant Activities:
The following are some activities supported by the HBCU-UP III grant.