Retention in the Biological Sciences at North Carolina

Retention in the Biological Sciences at North Carolina A&T State University Chairs’ Retreat June 28, 2007 O’Henry Hotel Greensboro, NC GOLDIE S. BYRD Professor and Chair Department of Biology North Carolina A&T State University

OVERVIEW n The Department n Retention Plan in Biology n GSK Retention Initiative n Complementary Initiatives n Evaluation/Accountability n Sustainability n Barriers

BIOLOGY 301 Undergraduate Students n 15 Graduate Students n 13 Full Time Faculty n 6 Adjuncts n

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS Bachelor of Science in Biology n Bachelor of Science in Biology, Secondary Education n Master of Science in Biology n Master of Science in Secondary Education with a concentration in Biology n *Certificate Program in Biotechnology n

BIOLOGY RETENTION PLAN Two of Five Major Goals § Identify factors that govern students success with the Department of Biology § Seek external support for initiatives that retain majors

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES Building NASA Pipeline PIPELINE K 9 Pre-K -thru 6 Students 10 - 12 High School Students Univ. Undergraduate Students Community College Middle School Students Graduate and Professional Schools University Graduate Students Businesses Jobs

BRIDGES TO THE FUTURE n Bridge to the Baccalaureate – From High School n Bridge to the Baccalaureate – From Community Colleges n Bridge to the Masters – From the Baccalaureate n Bridge to the Doctorate – From the Masters

FACTORS THAT IMPACT RETENTION Academic Bio/ Behavioral RETENTION Environmental Financial

IDENTIFY FACTORS THAT GOVERN STUDENT SUCCESS IN BIOLOGY n Surveys n Exit Interviews n Statistical Analyses

WIN EXTERNAL SUPPORT FOR RETAINING MAJORS n National Institutes of Health (funded) n Merck, Inc. (Pending) n Glaxo. Smith. Kline (funded)

A BROADER PERSPECTIVE Retaining larger numbers of students in the biological requires an interaction of academic, environmental, socio-cultural, and biological processes.

INITIATIVE GOALS n n n Improve student transition into college Provide academic, financial and social supports Improve student acceptance rates in graduate and professional schools

IMPROVE STUDENT TRANSITION INTO COLLEGE n Six Week Pre-matriculation Program – Peer Mentoring – Summer Classes – Living/Learning Communities – Reading Comprehension – Survival Skills

SUMMER ACTIVITIES Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 9 - 12 Courses 6– 7 credits Courses 6– 7 credits 12 - 1 Lunch Lunch 1 -3 Techniques Research Data Analysis Techniques Research 3 -4 E-journal Scientific Writing Reading Comprehension Survival Skills/ Time Management Computers as Research Tools 5 -8 Dinner Living Com. Peer Mentoring Dinner Living Com. Supplemental Instruction Dinner Living Com.

PROVIDE ACADEMIC, FINANCIAL, AND SOCIAL SUPPORTS n Peer Mentoring n Supplemental Instruction n Living/Learning Communities n GSK Scholars (2 new full scholarships per year) n 8 RISE Scholars (NIH) per year

IMPROVE STUDENT ACCEPTANCE RATES INTO GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS n Quality Mentored Research Experiences – Co-authors on Papers and Presentations *Office of Undergraduate Research (Departmental) n Graduate and Professional School Admissions Test Prep n Applications Assistance – Application – Personal Statements – Visits to Graduate and Professional Schools – Edits

RESEARCH INTERNSHIP PARTNERS n n n n Duke University of Miami Brown University Glaxo. Smith. Kline Merck, Inc The National Institutes of Health The Institute for Genome Research Wake Forest University The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Columbia University The US Environmental Protection Agency The University of Virginia Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories

RETENTION INITIATIVE FOR BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (GSK--$505, 000) Pre-matriculation Program Chemistry Biology Calculus Time Management Research Apply to Office Of Undergrad Research Off-site Research or Professional Experience Graduate and Professional School Academy for the First Year Experience Learn the Campus Peer Mentoring Year 1 • • RISE NIH Intro to Careers in Science Peer Mentoring Supplemental Instruction Living/Learning Communities Year 2 Research Seminar Year 3 Health Disparities Seminar Present at National Meeting Professional Test Preparation Apply to Graduate and Professional School Year 4 On Campus Research Science Workforce

PROGRAM EVALUATION n Strategic Evaluations, Inc – Logic Model – Annual Evaluations (surveys, questionnaires, statistical analyses)

SUSTAINABILITY

EXPAND COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH CAPACITY Genetic Susceptibility of Alzheimer’s disease in African Americans Transplantation and Angiogenesis in Diabetes Molecular and Cellular Carcinogenesis Translation and Prevention Healthy Lifestyle Behavior to Prevent Obesity Alternative Therapies for the Prevention of Hypertension

HOST DISTINGUISHED SYMPOSIA AND SEMINAR SPEAKERS Dr. David Satcher Former Surgeon General Dr. Clifford Houston President-elect ASM Dr. Francis Collins Director NHGRI Dr. Norman Anderson CEO APA Dr. Haywood Brown Chair of OB/GYN DUMC

INTRODUCING RESEARCH INTO THE CLASSROOM AND EVERYDAY LIFE n Millions of boomers (age 46 -64) are caring for parents afflicted with a disease that steals minds and memories…. – June 18, 2007

ENHANCE ABILITY TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN STUDENTS Williams-Mack Endowed Scholarship Fund

Signature Funded Programs ($7 million) n Collaborative Research in Health Disparities and n Summer Institute in Genome Science (BWF) n Biomathematical Learning Enhancement Network for Diversity (NSF) n Course Curriculum Laboratory Improvement (NSF) n Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (NIH) n Achievers in Career Enrichment (ACE) n Academy for the First Year Experience (GSK) – Biotechnology (NIH)

True Measures of Success 1. Extent to which a significantly larger percentage of students: – Succeed in the first year transition – Complete science degree in four years – Advance to graduate and professional degree programs or science workforce – Maintain confidence and poise to become responsible leaders in global scientific economy 2. Extent to which these activities may be leveraged to expand retention initiatives in biology, across the college and across the campus - Office of Undergraduate Research - Complementary Programs

Recruiting, Educating and Retaining Students in the Sciences Require Teaching and Research Academic and Career Advising Quality Faculty Excellent Curriculum *Recruitment Packages for Students Faculty Support (Time) and Development Quality Facilities Administrative Support Operating Budgets Research Support Technical Support

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