The program offers academic support services and resources to assist PRIME STEM scholars to successfully complete a STEM degree. As an advocate for access to higher education, PRIME STEM/Student Support Services is committed to providing the support necessary to empower participants in developing and achieving academic goals. PRIME is an acronym that means Purpose + Reach = Individuals Measured for Excellence.

The program has been very successful since its inception in 2010.:

Program Director Rebekah McCloud attributes the program鈥檚 success to an amazing staff and the comprehensive programming provided to participants. 鈥淲e do everything from helping students to select courses, consider career options, find internships, prepare for interviews, engage in extracurricular activities, create budgets and set goals. Additionally, we provide peer mentoring and individualized tutoring.鈥�

PRIME STEM/Student Support Services is the only STEM program on campus that supports students from freshman through senior year.

National TRiO Day brings awareness to the continuing needs of low-income and first generation students and the thousands of student lives TRiO programs have changed. This year marked the 50th anniversary of the legislation which established the federally funded TRiO programs. The 麻豆原创 PRIME STEM Program/Student Support Services celebrated National TRiO Day by hosting 50 visitors, students, staff and faculty at a recent reception (sponsored in part by Fairwinds Credit Union) where the City of Orlando presented PRIME STEM Program with a Proclamation.

The reception provided an overview of the TRiO grant programs offered at 麻豆原创 and the accomplishments of Student Support Services scholars enrolled in the program.

The event highlighted student accomplishments during the 2013-14 academic year. Outstanding Achievement Awards were given to 11 students who earned (4.0-3.6) grade point averages and Merit Awards were awarded to 22 students who earned grade point averages between (3.5-3.0). Outstanding Service Awards and Financial Literacy Awards were presented to 10 scholars. Also, the program recognized outstanding Peer Mentors and Peer Tutors at the event.

Mike Nichola, grant coordinator for Congressman Grayson鈥檚 office, was present for the event. He gave special recognition to scholars who demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and leadership by presenting PRIME STEM scholars with Congressional Awards from Congressman Grayson鈥檚 office. Thirteen scholars who were presented Congressional Awards were recognized on the 麻豆原创 dean鈥檚 List and President鈥檚 Honor Roll this year.

PRIME STEM staff recognized SDES staff and 麻豆原创 departments. Friends of TRiO Awards were presented to staff that support the goals and mission of TRiO programs at 麻豆原创.

The 麻豆原创 Student Support Services program provides academic advising, mentoring, tutoring, financial literacy instruction and assistance in locating various university resources. Students receive assistance applying for financial aid and scholarships, as well as, graduate and professional schools. Students enrolled in Student Support Services persist, advance, and graduate at higher rates than similar students not enrolled in the program. The program which began in 2010, to date has served 198 students and has graduated 59.

The learning communities are scholar facilitated (and can be aided by PRIME STEM peer tutor and mentor staff). Each community organizes its meetings and participants bring their own study materials. The PRIME STEM/Student Support Services office is available for scholars to use as a resource center including study materials, study spaces, computers, free printing, and access to program tutors and mentors.

The Learning Community also includes study aids for biology, chemistry, trigonometry, calculus and algebra. Additionally, there are study skills materials: time management, note-taking, effective studying techniques, and testing-taking tips and a core group of modules for program participants. Modules include:

鈥淪ince we have instituted the learning communities/study groups, we have noticed a dramatic increase in the number of scholars who come into the office to meet with study groups, utilize resources and/or meet with a peer tutor or peer mentor,鈥� said Rebekah McCloud, program director.

For those scholars who prefer to meet virtually, PRIME STEM was recently awarded an Information Fluency grant to expand its web course (PSP1000) through Canvas. In the future, the program will expand the course offerings to develop major-specific virtual learning communities. These communities will be supported by tutors who will deliver assistance virtually. Additionally, this grant will assist the program in developing a number of modules that will address fluency (information, textual, scientific and mechanical).

This initiative began because PRIME STEM staff noticed that students (especially the Biomedical Sciences majors) were changing their majors to Health Sciences and the program was no longer able to service them. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) at the Institute of Education Sciences (US Department of Education) noted that some 28 percent of beginning聽 bachelor degree students 鈥ntered a STEM field at some point during their enrollment鈥nd 48 percent had left these fields by either changing their majors or leaving college altogether without completing a degree or certificate.

鈥淚t is imperative that we are proactive in doing all we can to assist our students to pursue a STEM major. I do not want any of them to become a statistic,鈥� said McCloud. 鈥淥f the 180 students PRIME STEM has served, to date 32 (17%) have changed their majors. Clearly not as high as NCES reports, this number is still cause for concern, Informal dialogue with PRIME STEM 鈥榤ajor changers鈥� revealed that the overwhelming majority changed their majors because they experienced failure with math and sciences courses (most among the GEP), particularly calculus, trigonometry, and chemistry. We are hopeful that these learning communities will help students to increase their academic performance,鈥� McCloud added.

PRIME STEM/Student Support Services is a program in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services.