Building Academic Success Early for STEM (BASE)
A Pilot Project Funded by NSF Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI Program)
Project Timeline: April 2024 - March 2027
About Us
BASE proposes two cross-disciplinary pedagogical approaches: 1) to nurture underrepresented students’ under-utilized cultural capital (e.g., aspirations, language, and family) via culturally responsive teaching practices; and 2) to build STEM capacity using wraparound sessions on metacognitive skills. Our overall goal is to build a connection between underrepresented Hispanic students’ self-efficacy and STEM college readiness via transformative culturally responsive teaching that focuses on positioning students as change agents, responsible and in control of their own learning.
Project Goals
Over the next 3 years the BASE project proposes to recruit, prepare, and retain 30 first generation first time and transfer students on targeted learning and support strategies. The expectation is that these students will create a community of practice and motivate future students.
- At least 70% of BASE participants depict educational and self-efficacy skills.
- At least 70% of BASE participants depict math, science, and metacognitive skills.
- At least 70% of BASE participants depict STEM career readiness skills.
- At least 70% of BASE participants depict an increased sense of institutional belongingness.
- At least 21 (70%) BASE participants portray year-to-year retention in the STEM fields.
- TAMIU STEM faculty mentors (20) practice culturally responsive teaching strategies with first-generation first-time and not college ready students.
- Increased institutional knowledge about first generation, first-time and transfer students’ and their perceptions of college readiness and college success.
Advancing Research Excellence
Texas A&M International University will create an interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment that will foster discovery, educate students, and generate substantive solutions for a changing global society.
3.1 Expand and develop collaborative, interdisciplinary, and transformational research.
3.2 Foster an intellectual environment to promote active and widely recognized faculty scholarship.
3.3 Expand student participation in research and scholarly activity.
3.4 Increase externally funded research.
Excellence in Advancement & Stewardship
Texas A&M International University will cultivate, allocate, and manage resources effectively.
6.1 Improve operational efficiencies while maintaining program quality.
6.2 Integrate assessment into decision-making processes.
6.3 Increase awareness and appreciation for philanthropy.
6.4 Inspire today’s students to become tomorrow’s philanthropists.
6.5 Adhere to prudent financial stewardship and environmental sustainability.
Funded by National Science Foundation
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