This project, funded by a U.S. Department of Education $4.1 million grant, is designed to smooth the path from high school to graduate school for students interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Any flaw in the pipeline can deter students from a STEM course of study and career.
Our plan is comprised of five components that build and strengthen links between each part of the pipeline:
(1) A Learning Community of K-16 teachers;
(2) A Counseling Presence on the Riverside Community College (RCC) campuses;
(3) Articulation Agreements with RCC that are program-based;
(4) Personalized Study Plans using both the RCC and CPP courses;
(5) Academic Support and research opportunities for upper division students.
The desired outcomes from the STEM Pipeline Project are ambitious. We want a larger number of better prepared students enrolling at CPP in STEM majors from both high schools and community colleges, a more efficient course of study for transfer students, higher GPA’s and graduation rates for the students in their CPP STEM studies, and increased STEM employment and post-graduate opportunities.
The work from this project will not be limited to STEM students or transfer students from Riverside. The goal is to expand the counselor presence to assist all students wishing to transfer to CPP, to extend the lessons learned from articulation efforts to other community colleges, to develop study plans for other disciplines. Ultimately, the STEM Pipeline Project will have a lasting effect on all students at Cal Poly Pomona.