The document describes the Science and Computing Center for Excellence (SCSE) at Northeastern Illinois University. The SCSE aims to recruit and support underrepresented and first-generation students pursuing STEM degrees. It provides various academic and professional programs including tutoring, research experiences, conference travel, graduate school preparation, internships and career guidance. Assessment data shows the SCSE has increased STEM enrollment and graduation rates, particularly among Hispanic and low-income students. The personalized support from the SCSE staff has helped many students succeed in STEM fields.

2. •Background Information
•Challenges
•Programs and Services
•Data on Research Experiences
•Presenting Research and Conference Travel
•Student Outcomes
•Assessment and Evaluation
•The Personal Touch
•Impact

3. • NEIU – Commuter School, only Federally-Funded, four-year
Hispanic Serving Institution in the Midwest
• U.S. News & World Report Named Northeastern Illinois
University the Most Ethnically Diverse Student Population in
the Midwest
• Initially Established by Funding from the U.S. Department of
Education
• Serve 7 Departments: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science,
Earth Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology*

4. • Recruiting Students (Particularly Among
Underrepresented and First-Generation Populations)
for STEM Degrees
• Lack of Preparation for College Courses in Math
• Introducing Students to a Diverse Set of Careers in the
Sciences
• Lack of Resources for Success in Careers, Graduate and
Professional Schools
• Lack of STEM-Focused Academic Support, Consistent
Personal Support and Access to Information and
Resources

5. • Classroom Visits to Promote Services at the Center
• Tutoring/PLTL (Peer Led Team Learning)
• One-on-One Advising
• Mentoring and Networking Opportunities
• Visiting Scholars
• Major Exploration, Internship, and Career Workshops
• Paid Research Experiences (10 weeks)
• Travel to Conferences
• Graduate School Guidance and Application Assistance
• A Space on Campus for Students, Faculty and Staff Who are Engaged in
STEM that serves as a “home”
• Newly Remodeled Labs
• Website, Social Media Presence, Blog, Newsletter

6. • First Year Experience
• Muddy Waters
• TIERRA
• CREAR
• Class Visits
• Building Partnerships Across
Campus
• Outreach to Community Colleges
• Referrals From Faculty, Staff and
Students

7. • Peer Lead Team Learning
• Tutoring for Developmental Math Through Calculus Sequence
• Tutoring in All Upper Level STEM Courses
• Student Collaboration to Assist Peers

8. • Summer Transition Program for Incoming Freshman testing into
Developmental Math
• 15 Students Were Enrolled in the Program
• 7 Students Skipped a Level
• 6 Students Skipped Two Levels
Summer Transition Program Tutors

9. •Getting Involved in Student Organizations on Campus
•Volunteer Work
•Internships
•Clinical Experiences
•Undergraduate Research Experiences
•Informational Interviews, Contacting Faculty and
Professionals, Utilize Social Media (LinkedIn,
Facebook, etc)

10. •University of Colorado
•University of Chicago
•University of Illinois, UIUC
•Northwestern University
•Field Museum
•Lincoln Park Zoo
•National Soil Erosion Laboratory
•Chicago Botanical Gardens

11. •30 Students
•12 Faculty
•Projects in Biology,
Earth Science,
Mathematics and
Physics

12. •40 Students
•15 Faculty
•Departments: Biology,
Chemistry, Earth
Science, Physics

13. • 45 Students – Through 4 Grants
• LSAMP
• CREAR
• TIERRA
• CCRAA
• 20 Faculty
• Departments: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science,
Mathematics, and Psychology
• 10 Outside of NEIU: University of Washington, University of
Colorado, Northwestern University, University of Montana, etc.

14. • 22 Students – Through 3 Grants
• LSAMP
• CREAR
• TIERRA
• 12 Faculty
• Departments: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Mathematics,
Physics and Psychology
• 20 Students Doing Research Outside of NEIU: Alaska, Purdue
University, UIC, UIUC, Google, etc.

16. Argonne Undergraduate Research Symposium
National Meeting of the Biophysical Society
LSAMP Conference
SACNAS National Conference

20. • An Organization for College Students and Professionals dedicated to
Fostering Scientific Success
• Previous to SCSE an Average of 5 students Attended
• After the Establishment of the Center
• 2009 - 24 Students Attended, 3 Staff, 2 Faculty
• 2010 - 42 Students, 3 Staff, 4 Faculty
• 2011 - 35 Students, 2 Staff, 4 Faculty
• Benefits: Opportunity to Network, Development of Presentation Skills,
Graduate School Connections
• Bringing it Back to Campus - Since 2009, We Have Built Our Own SACNAS
Chapter, and Hosted a Regional Meeting

23. • Graduate School Exploration Workshop
• Graduate School Application Workshop
• Application Assistance
• GRE Prep Study Group
• MCAT Study Group
• Much Hand Holding Once Applications Are In!

24. • UIC-Molecular Biology, Ph.D. Program
• Oxford-Biotechnology, M.S.
• UCLA-Chemistry, Ph.D.
• University of Rochester-M.D.Ph.D. Program

25. • Path Clarification and Interest Discovery
• Goal Setting
• Resume and Cover Letter Writing Assistance
• Mock Interviews
• Career Fairs
• Networking Opportunities
• Trips to and Collaborations with National Labs, USDA
Research Facilities and Companies
• Alumni Presentations and Mentoring
• Exposing Students to Non-Traditional Careers

26. • University of Chicago-Lab technician
• University of Colorado, Biology Department
• Northwestern University – Biology Lab Tech II
• Allstate - Actuary

27. • Centralized Resources and Information
• Friendly, Helpful Faces
• Intrusive, Holistic Advising
• Consistent Follow-Up
• Food Never Hurts!
• Connections, Suggestions, and
Interference

28. •Every Program is Assessed
•Surveys
•Quantitative and Qualitative Data
•Was a Program Successful? Did it Have the
Intended Impact, as Defined?
•Institutional Data
•Increases in STEM Majors
•Increases in STEM Graduates

29. •Number of Hispanics Majoring in STEM
• 243 Enrolled 2009-2010
• 338 Enrolled 2011-2012
• 27% Increase
•Number of Low Income Students Majoring in STEM
• 405 Enrolled 2009-2010
• 569 Enrolled 2011-2012
• 55% Increase
•Total Increase in Enrollment
• 25% from 2009 to 2011 (1065 to 1346)

30. We would like to thank the following people:
David Rutschman, Ph.D. Associate Dean
Marcelo Sztainberg, Ph.D. SCSE Director
Stephanie Levi, Ph.D. Former SCSE Coordinator
Joseph Hibdon Jr., Ph.D. SCSE Advisor