Reflections for Increasing STEM
Student Success
Maureen Scharberg, Associate Vice President,
Student Academic Success Services
San José State University
Goals of Presentation
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Define Student Success and STEM Ecosystem
Reflections as a STEM Faculty Member
Reflections as an Academic Advisor
Reflections as a Scientist
Questions and Answers
Definition of Student Success
• Academic/Social/Personal—Changes with time
* Help students build their STEM student
“toolbox”
* Transform STEM student “novice” to STEM
student “leader”, wherever their entry point to
the STEM degree is.
STEM Ecosystem
• Transformed SJSU by creating a STEM Student
Success Ecosystem – NSF STEP Grant
* Complex set of relationships
* Many resources, including students, faculty,
staff, student leaders, student support network(s)
* Interactive
* Dynamic
* Variable environment (within and outside
SJSU)
* Function as a unit
Reflections of a STEM Faculty Member
• Make “it” Real
• Focus on Learning vs. Teaching
• Set High Expectations and integrate “High
Impact Practices” into the STEM Curriculum
(George Kuh’s research – First-Year
Experience, Learning Communities, WritingIntensive Courses, Collaborative Projects,
Undergraduate Research, Diversity/Global
Learning, Service Learning, Internships,
Capstones)
Reflections of a STEM Faculty Member
• Make “it” Real
• Focus on Learning vs. Teaching
• Set High Expectations—use High Impact
Practices
• Assess Early and Often; Provide meaningful
feedback, especially include writing
• Refer students to STEM student support
services early
• Keep students focused on goals of class
Reflections of a STEM Academic
Advisor
• Make every class count!
• Give pathways to STEM degrees
• Finish all lower division coursework before
transferring
• Assess math skills (especially Calculus I)
• Assess writing skills
• How to work with struggling STEM students
– Watch repeat STEM classes!
Reflections of a Scientist
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Problem solver
Data driven (www.iea.sjsu.edu/ssm)
Project manager
Research oriented
Strategist
Mentor
Support writing throughout the curriculum
(AANAPISI grant)
Discussion on
STEM Student Success
Contact Information
Maureen Scharberg
(408) 924-2706
Maureen.Scharberg@sjsu.edu