Michigan Tech Receives Grants
By Rachel Pobocik
HOUGHTON, MI--Michigan Technological University has recently been awarded
two grants from the Michigan Department of Career Development's King-Chavis-Parks
Initiative. The University's Department of Educational Opportunity received
a $145,845 Select Student Support Service (4-S) Grant and a $79,198 Michigan
College/University Partnership (MICUP) Grant.
The 4-S Grant is part of Michigan Tech's Project RISE (Retention Initiative
in Science and Engineering) and supports the pilot program ExSEL--Excelling
in Science and Engineering Learning. According to Chris Anderson, director
of educational opportunity at Michigan Tech, every three years, RISE pilots
a new program to improve retention at MTU.
"The 4S grant gives MTU the opportunity to test strategies," explains
Anderson. "Once they are assessed, and we know they work, the University
can adopt and expand them to help improve overall student retention."
One of the goals of the current program is to try to identify reasons
why many students aren't successful in calculus. Initially by examining
different research, the ExSel program coordinators found that ACT scores,
along with other factors such as high school courses taken and rural vs.
urban vs. suburban schools, are possible predictors. Using these criteria,
they invited students in the targeted group to take part in the ExSel
program. Fifteen students are involved in the program, which provides
a class before Calculus or pre-calculus to work on basic math skills.
"Although this course may add a semester to a student's time here at
the University, it may also ensure their success," Anderson says. "Often
students who do not succeed in calculus drop out in the long run."
An ExSel coordinator will also work to monitor students who are having
difficulty and try to match them with the University support services
they need.
"Students may be directed to a Learning Center on campus for peer tutoring,
but they may have other issues that are affecting their school work,"
explains Anderson. "If they are having social or personal problems the
coordinator may refer them to counseling or outreach programs, or if they
are having financial problems the coordinator can find advice for them
from the Financial Aid department."
The MICUP grant includes a partnership with Northwestern Michigan College
and Delta College. The goal of the grant is to encourage the transfer
of underrepresented students from community colleges to four-year programs.
Madeline Voelker, the coordinator of Hispanic/Latino Outreach at MTU,
will be the outreach coordinator for this program also. Her main responsibility
will be to work with the students and faculty at the community colleges
to create a seamless transfer to Michigan Tech, including campus visits
and internships with professors.
Once the students are at Tech, Voelker will also work to retain them
by identifying their unique needs and providing personal support.
"This program is good for the University, because it will help increase
student enrollment and diversity on campus," says Anderson. "It will also
give students, who otherwise might not have, an opportunity to consider,
prepare for, and earn a four-year degree."
For more information about Michigan Tech's 4-S or MICUP programs, contact
Chris Anderson by e-mail at ythcande@mtu.edu
or at 906/487-3539.
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