A STEM Model Encouraging Post-Baccalaureate Pathways for First Generation, Underrepresented Undergraduates

The University of Houston-Downtown supports a STEM program, Scholars Academy (SA) within the College of Sciences and Technology dedicated to enhancing, preparing, and enlightening minority, underrepresented, and first-generation majors seeking entrance into workforce, graduate, and professional programs of preparation. Over the past 18 years the University of Houston-Downtown Scholars Academy has implemented a series of success components supporting the nurturance of post-baccalaureate graduate and professional pursuit yielding a 51% acceptance rate into medical school, over 68 professional degrees (ranging from MD to DO to DDS and DPharm) earned by alumni, over 20 PhD degrees, and over 900 minority/underrepresented undergraduates moving into professional/graduate fields. Briefly, STEM success components consist of 1) Freshman Ramp Up support; 2) Academic Skill Monitoring; 3) Mentoring, peer to peer and PhD to undergraduate; 4) Career and Research Skill Development support; and finally, 5) Leadership Development through Community Engagement support.