Texas State University has been awarded a $494,725 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to help increase retention, academic achievement, and career preparation for undergraduate students studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The project, supported by the NSF Hispanic-Serving Institutions: Enriching Learning, Programs, and Student Experiences (HSI:ELPSE) program, will connect first-year and transfer students with academic support workshops, service-learning leadership opportunities, and faculty-mentored research experiences.
The project's principal investigators are Carolyn T. Chang, Ph.D., Director of Bioscience Education and Training Research, Translational Health Research Center; Paula Williamson, Ph.D., University Distinguished Professor of Biology, College of Science and Engineering; Doug Morrish, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Student Success, College of Science and Engineering; and Nick Weimer, Assistant Vice Provost of Experiential and Academic Initiatives.
Building on the success of the 2020-2022 ASPIRE pilot program led by Paula Williamson, Ph.D., and Christine E. Hailey, Ph.D., which demonstrated the value of undergraduate research experiences on academic success, Hailey, professor in the Ingram School of Engineering, emphasized the importance of this expanded initiative.
“I am delighted that this NSF grant has been funded. When our college invested in the pilot phase, we saw firsthand how undergraduate research and professional development encourage our students to persist and excel,” she said.
“This new grant allows us to amplify that impact—supporting a large cohort of students and strengthening their pathways to be retained and success in STEM and beyond."
Vice Provost for Academic Success Andrew Hamilton, Ph.D., noted that the new NSF-funded program aligns with Texas State University’s university-wide strategy to enhance student outcomes.