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)
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.