The STEM Pathway and Student Retention

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-vii

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2. Issues in Higher Education and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

   • Carita Harrell, David G. Capco

   Pages 1-9

3. The Transition from High School to College

   • Carita Harrell, David G. Capco

   Pages 11-15

4. The Role of Identity Development in the Acculturation to College

   • Carita Harrell, David G. Capco

   Pages 17-20

5. The Orientation of First-Year Students to Success: Recognizing the Need for Change

   • Carita Harrell, David G. Capco

   Pages 21-24

6. The Orientation of First-Year Students to Science and STEM Majors

   • Carita Harrell, David G. Capco

   Pages 25-31

7. Early Support for First Semester Freshmen: Peer Mentoring

   • Carita Harrell, David G. Capco

   Pages 33-39

8. Recruiting Mentors and the Selection Process

   • Carita Harrell, David G. Capco

   Pages 41-49

9. Foundations for Guiding the Mentors

   • Carita Harrell, David G. Capco

   Pages 51-59

10. The Transformation Process from a Freshman into a Sophomore

    • Carita Harrell, David G. Capco

    Pages 61-66

11. Lesson Strategies

    • Carita Harrell, David G. Capco

    Pages 67-73

12. Implementing the Plan: The Weekly Schedule

    • Carita Harrell, David G. Capco

    Pages 75-85

13. Back Matter

    Pages 87-121

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This work introduces methods that aid in freshman retention (in the transition from high school and to remain in the university of origin) and orient them towards a successful career in science. Specific examples of successful approaches are given as well as detailed plans for how to engage these students. Pitfalls as well as success are described. In addition this work provides a detailed description of how to develop the students into a cohort that exhibits comradery. Three types of cohort form, those within the freshman class, those among the upperclassmen and those between the freshmen and upperclassmen. The program works because the social reality is that the peer mentor has a better repertoire with the first semester freshmen than the faculty or staff and assists with student success. Factors such as financial aid, policy, and support systems influence student success. In the sciences, students often struggle with the content and adjusting to the college experience. Research states that a mentorship program supports retention as well as enhances the student experience during college. This program creates a cohort group among the upperclassmen mentors and freshmen and provides leadership development for all involved.

• Career choice
• Higher education
• Mentoring program
• Mentorship program
• Peer mentoring
• STEM majors
• Science careers
• Science majors
• Student cohorts
• Student retention
• Student success in college
• Transition to college

• School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA

  Carita Harrell

• Cell and Molecular Biosciences, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA

  David G. Capco

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