CREATING A SEAMLESS PIPELINE INTO UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN STEM FIELDS THROUGH REGION-WIDE ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS.

Underrepresented minority students pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) related degrees at much lower rates compared to other segments of the population. To attract minority students, schools with STEM programs have resorted to myriad strategies such as cohorts, scholarships, mentoring, summer bridges, etc. Some schools have also sought innovative ways to develop a pipeline for graduates of two-year technical degree programs to matriculate into their four-year STEM programs and complete the remaining coursework leading to a BAT or BS degree. The University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB) has adopted this latter innovative approach to increasing student enrollment in STEM fields. The College of Science, Mathematics and Technology (CSMT) has recently completed and signed novel articulation agreements with three of the major community colleges in the region. These articulation agreements provide a pathway for community college students to seamlessly transfer into the UXX STEM programs. The community college programs covered in the articulation agreements represent a wide variety of two-year programs in the fields of engineering and technology. The seamless pipeline generated through these articulation agreements will greatly enhance the transfer of students from the two-year programs into four-year baccalaureate programs. The STEM programs at the college (CSMT) are already witnessing increased enrollment numbers as a result of the community college transfers. This paper will detail the articulation agreements, discuss the benefits of the agreements for both types of institutions, and analyze the challenges encountered in transferring technical courses from the community colleges. Preliminary enrollment data will be presented that suggests an early indication as to the future viability of the articulated programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition is the property of ASEE and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)