NSF S-STEM Program - Supporting Undergraduate Cohorts of Career-Ready Engineering and Science Scholars (SUCCESS) Project at WVU Tech – Year 3 updates

Abstract

The SUCCESS project at WVU Tech aims to recruit, retain, and graduate low-income STEM students with high motivation and entrepreneurial mindset, enhancing their likelihood of employment in technology-based businesses or creating start-up ventures. This report provides updates for Year 3, focusing on the recruitment and retention efforts. Currently, there are 20 scholars in the program, with Cohort 1 comprising seven students and Cohort 2 comprising 13 students. The program has seen some changes in Cohort 2 structure, with three Computer Science (CS) students dropping out in Fall 2023, and four new sophomore students including one Computer Engineering (CpE) and three CS students being admitted. Scholars have engaged in various activities, including completing entrepreneurship courses, attending career fairs, and working on research projects with faculty. The project team is actively collecting and analyzing feedback from scholars to ensure necessary improvements are implemented. Major activities during Year 3 included faculty mentor meetings, IEEE/ACM student branch engagements, and industry mentor interactions. Looking ahead, the project aims to continue supporting scholars in their academic and career pursuits, with a focus on enhancing industry mentorship and peer-to-peer relations. Additionally, the project has diligently explored opportunities to expand its impact to all eight existing engineering programs at WVU Tech and has recently submitted a Track 2 proposal to the NSF S-STEM program. The updates conclude with a discussion on the project's impact on student outcomes and the broader STEM community.