Implementing High Impact Practices for Student Success with Limited Resources

Presenters: Rick Hill, Chris Nichols

Session Description:

It is known that low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students have rates of retention and graduation that lag behind their peers. A growing body of research has identified a range of high-impact practices and exemplary programs that have been successful in improving outcomes for these at-risk populations. The challenge of emulating these successful examples is that their implementation can be costly and resource-intensive. Over the past four years, a team in the College of Engineering & Science has initiated the Science & Engineering Equity Development (SEED) scholars program with 40 engineering and computer science students. This pilot program has leveraged existing on-campus resources and external industrial partners to implement a range of high-impact practices in a financially sustainable manner. In this session, we will share details of the program, outcomes, and lessons learned for retention and recruitment.

Learning Objectives:

1. Build awareness about different techniques for building professional identity, sense of belonging, skills, and confidence for underrepresented and first-generation college students.
2. Hear about concrete outcomes of the ongoing 4-year pilot.
3.  Learn about the implications for student recruitment.