Source: University of the Incarnate Word submitted to NRP
THE UIW RESEARCH SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0214288
Grant No.
2008-38422-19438
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
2008-02104
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2008
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2011
Grant Year
2008
Program Code
[NJ]- Hispanic Serving Institutions Education Grants Program
Recipient Organization
University of the Incarnate Word
(N/A)
San Antonio,TX 78209
Performing Department
MATHEMATICS
Non Technical Summary
The purpose of the Research Scholars Project (RSP) at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is to alleviate barriers that prevent qualified underrepresented and low-income people from enrolling in and completing a graduate program, and to enlarge the pool of research statisticians for the local and national workforce. The RSP will recruit and select underrepresented or low-income students into the program. UIW has an established, strong graduate student recruitment system. Admissions officers visit universities in San Antonio and South Texas to conduct recruitment fairs and schedule one-on-one counseling sessions with prospective students. Four of the five universities in San Antonio are designated as Hispanic-Serving Institutions and, therefore provide a large pool of prospective candidates. UIW will retain the Scholars through graduation with a Master of Science in Research Statistics by providing a strong support system through tutoring in the Learning Assistance Center, career counseling in the Office of Career and Placement Services, technology training through the Instructional Technology Center, and library research through the Library Assistance Program. In addition, all mathematics faculty members will serve as academic advisors to help guide students toward their academic and professional goals. The RSP will place Scholars in an internship with local businesses or government agencies. The RSP will host meetings for recruiters and cultivating student-professional mentoring partnerships with industry or government agency representatives the RSP will support a smooth transition from the graduate program to the workforce. The RSPs objectives and supporting activities meet the HSI Education Grants Program to increase the number of graduates with a higher degree and the quality of post-secondary instruction within the sciences.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
90360993020100%
Goals / Objectives
The goal of the Research Scholars Project (RSP) is to recruit and enroll talented underrepresented and low-income students into the research statistics graduate degree program at The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW). The program will create opportunities for the students to gain knowledge and skills that will equip them to enhance research in an array of areas, including agriculture, business and government. This goal will be accomplished through the completion of the following objectives: (1) Recruit and select eleven underrepresented or low-income students into the Research Scholars Project; (2) Retain 80 percent of RSP Scholars through to graduation with a Master of Science degree in Research Statistics; and (3) Place 60 percent of the Research Scholars in an internship with local businesses or government agencies.
Project Methods
Objective 1: Recruit and select eleven underrepresented or low-income students into the Research Scholars Project (RSP). Fliers and information packets will be developed to recruit students completing a Bachelor's degree in related fields (e.g., science, health care, social sciences and business). The fliers will be distributed on campus by The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) mathematics professors and around San Antonio at citywide meetings of mathematics, science and business faculty and researchers. Students from area universities will be recruited through graduate information sessions conducted by UIW's trained admissions staff, and with advertising on the UIW webpage, in local newspapers, and through mailed fliers to faculty and deans at local and regional universities. Information sessions will be provided for prospective applicants through structured campus visits. Objective 2: Retain 80 percent of RSP Scholars through to graduation with a Master of Science degree in Research Statistics. Each RSP Scholar will be assigned an advisor who will serve as his or her Faculty Mentor throughout their graduate work. Faculty-led study sessions will be held twice per week to support the Scholars. Career development seminars will be held once per semester to keep Scholars current with career opportunities. Lecture sessions from local statisticians will be held twice per semester for RSP Scholars and other interested students on relevant topics. The grant will provide transportation and expenses for Scholars to attend state conferences supporting their professional development in the field and provide networking opportunities with other researchers. The mathematics faculty will receive professional development in integrating technology into classroom instruction, student engagement and applied statistics in order to provide engaging classroom instruction. Data provided by local companies and agencies will be integrated into classroom instruction to enhance interest and excitement in research statistics. Objective 3: Place 60 percent of the RSP Scholars in an internship with local businesses or government agencies. The RSP will work with the Office of Career Services to build a network with local Human Resources personnel for internships and career placement upon graduation. UIW will host a meeting for recruiters from relevant enterprises and agencies, led by the Dean of the School of Mathematics, Science & Engineering, to introduce the RSP and the research statistics program to highlight the skills these students will bring to the workplace. The RSP coordinators will cultivate student-professional mentoring partnerships with industry or government representatives, and will invite representatives from local companies or government agencies to the UIW campus to speak at career development sessions with RSP Scholars about employment opportunities for research statisticians and the practical application of their skills. These presentations will be open to the public and will also be used as an opportunity to recruit potential students. RSP coordinators will meet with local businesses to identify possible opportunities for Scholar internships.

Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The implementation of the RSP resulted in the development of 10 new graduate-level courses in statistics, the installation of 4 statistical software packages (Minitab, JMP, R, and WinBUGS) in our 19-computer laboratory, where all our classes were taught. Project collaboration was established with the San Antonio Water System. During this implementation we discover that that our initial sequence of courses needed to be changed to ensure a progression in learning, from theory to practice, and avoid duplication. The sequence of courses was modified and revised the content of all courses to avoid duplication and ensure that courses build on the foundation provided by previous courses. Another important finding was that the set of prerequisites initially established to enter the RSP underestimated the level of knowledge of mathematics needed to complete the 2-course sequence in advanced probability and Statistics. As a result we have revised the program prerequisites. PARTICIPANTS: The original Project Director was Dr. Elizabeth Kreston and the co-director was Dr. Paul Messina. Dr. Jesus Cuellar Fuentes took over as the Project Director, when Dr. Kreston Left the University. Dr. Messina and Dr. Cuellar Fuentes taught all course for the MS in Research Statistics. As a result of this project a partnership was established with the San Antonio Water System. One of our graduates was hired by this organization. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
A total 13 underrepresented or low income students were recruited for program and funded by the grant. Hence, we surpassed our goal of recruiting 11 underrepresented or low income students for the RSP. Of the 13 students funded by the grant we will have graduated 11 students with a master of science in applied statistics, for a graduation rate of about 85%, which is above our goal of 80%. Eight students were placed in an internship, giving us an internship placement rate of 62%, which is just above our goal of 60%. Two students completed a capstone project instead of an internship. At least 6 of our graduates are employed as data analysts or in other positions where their training in statistics is a key asset to perform their professional duties. In summary, the USDA-HIS grant enabled UIW to start a MS program in applied statistics that has graduated its first generation of statisticians and that continuous to operate without the need of USDA funds.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period