The Com-STEM program intends to reach out to the students early and often, from first contact in the recruiting process through the transition years until their successful graduation. Com-STEM engages students at McNeese State University both, in and out of the classroom, in the following forms:

	Early Identification - Early Intervention
	Peer Mentoring
	Peer Tutoring
	Scholarships
	Seminars and Events
	Undergraduate Research Experiences (URE)

Early Identification – Early Intervention Program

Every STEM discipline has courses that serve as “portals of entry” and “gatekeepers” for new majors. Introduction to Biology, General Chemistry, Engineering Science and Computing, Introduction to Environmental Science, Pre-calculus College Algebra, Calculus, General Physics, and Organic Chemistry are some examples of such courses. Successful completion of these courses determines to a great extent if a student will be able to earn a degree in that discipline. STEM faculty who teach these courses work closely with the Com-STEM program coordinator to identify STEM majors underperforming in their first testing experience (i.e., early identification). As a means of an early intervention, Com-STEM students can then get involved with mentoring and tutoring.

Some of the courses that have been designated as “portals of entry” and “gatekeeper” courses are:

1. Biology 101, 102, 211, 225, 226, 250

2. Chemical Engineering 210

3. Chemistry 101, 102, 301, 302

4. Computer Science 180, 281

5. Engineering 211, 301, 302

6. Engineering Technology 324

7. Environmental Science 101, 102, 350

8. Mathematics 113, 170, 175, 190

9. Physics 201, 202, 211, 212

10. Statistics 231

Peer Mentoring

Every STEM discipline has courses that serve as “portals of entry,” that is, courses in which first-year student enroll as their initial exposure to courses in their intended major.  Likewise, every major includes courses that can be termed “gatekeeper.”  Successful completion of these courses determines to a great extent if a student will be able to earn a degree in a specific discipline.

The first test in the “portals of entry” and “gatekeeper” courses is usually a good indicator of future student success in the course. Just like with any test, there are students who score high and others who score low. Academically superior students who are enrolled in the “portals of entry” and “gatekeeper” courses will be encouraged to work as mentors.  As mentors, they will spend four hours per week, per course studying as a group with a small number of under-performing students. Com-STEM mentors will be paid $24 per week for 4 hours of mentoring.

Mentors are selected every semester right after the first test in the “portals of entry” and “gatekeeper” courses listed above. Based on the first test grade, the instructors recommend to the Com-STEM program Coordinator the students who are qualified to serve as mentors. In the event that there are more students than positions available, the Com-STEM Faculty Leadership Team selects the mentors based on their overall academic performance.

The minimum requirements to apply for a mentor position are:

1. Pursue one of the Com-STEM majors.
2. Have a current GPA of at least 3.3.
3. Be a fulltime student in good standing with the university.
4. Must be currently enrolled in the course for which you are applying to be a mentor.

To download the Com-STEM Mentor Application CLICK HERE.

To view the Fall 2006 semester mentoring schedule CLICK HERE.

Peer Tutoring

“Those who teach what they are learning are, by far, the greatest students.” (Stephen R. Covey, 2004)

The student mentoring or tutoring their fellow students actually gains more from the experience than the object of their efforts.  As pointed out by Covey in the quote given above, those students who provide this service to their peers become the greatest students.  The act of explaining a concept or deciphering a problem for another actually completes the learning cycle and fosters a better understanding on the part of the mentor or tutor.  The maxim stating that one does not really learn something until required to teach it to another holds true here.

Another Com-STEM early intervention technique is peer tutoring.  In this program, upper-level, academically superior STEM majors and graduate students serve as peer tutors for other Com-STEM students.  Tutors are available for students on a walk-in basis in the Com-STEM Collaborative Education Center (CEC). The CEC is located in Kaufman Hall Room 334 and is open Monday through Friday noon for 13 weeks each semester. Peer tutors are selected based on their academic performance and are paid $6.00 per hour of tutoring .

To view the Fall 2006 semester tutoring schedule CLICK HERE.

Attending tutoring is advantageous both academically and financially. Students who receive tutoring and the tutors themselves improve their academic performance. Students who teach what they are learning become the most successful students. In addition, they accrue points towards an end-of-the semester financial reward available under the Academic Excellence Reward Program.

Tutors are selected every semester based on their academic performance and recommendation of their advisor. The minimum requirements to apply for a tutor position are:

1. Pursue one of the Com-STEM majors.
2. Have a current GPA of at least 3.3.
3. Be a fulltime student in good standing with the university.
4. Have at least a “B” in course for which you are applying to be a tutor.

To download the Com-STEM Tutor Application CLICK HERE.

Scholarships

Com-STEM intends to offer scholarships to students when that support will have a maximum impact on individual decisions to enter McNeese and pursue one of the programs in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.  The support from the McNeese program will go to first-time freshmen and to students who transfer from one of the two partner institutions.  That support will be for one semester.  Subsequent financial assistance will be dependent on the student’s academic performance as judged by the Academic Excellence Reward Program.

Seminars and Events

First-year college students generally come to higher education with an understanding of “school” as going to a class where the “teacher” dispenses information to be learned for application to the next testing session.  But in the higher education experience, much of what is “learned” is encountered outside of the traditional classroom. 

Seminars and other events represent important learning experiences for college students.  The information presented at these sessions is important, but other important lessons are learned beyond the subject of the seminar itself.  The presenter of the session is often another student.  Students in attendance will not only be exposed to new and different information, but the student also will learn how peers organize and deliver presentations, valuable information when their time comes to be the speaker. 

Com-STEM operates a multilevel seminar and eventp program for the benefit of its students.  One level is the discipline-specific seminars given in several STEM departments.  Another level is the nontechnical presentations to students in transition to the college environment.  Students are shown clearly marked pathways to college success.  Subjects like note taking, reading skills, time management, interviewing, technical report writing and a host of similar survival skills are offered.  At the highest level, students are exposed to distinguished scholars from across the nation. 

About one-third to one-half of what a student learns in college comes from contact with faculty and others outside of the classroom.  The Com-STEM seminar and event program offers students an opportunity to interact with other students, faculty, and professionals from outside the university.  Also, attending these special events provides students the experience needed to prepare their own seminar when their time comes to present.

To view the current Seminar and Event schedule CLICK HERE.

Undergraduate Research Experiences (URE)

The Com-STEM Undergraduate Research Experiences (URE) program allows students the opportunity to:

• Work with a Com-STEM faculty mentor engaged in laboratory and/or field research,
• Share common academic experiences with other talented and motivated students,
• Gain a greater appreciation for the scientific method,
• Develop the ability to access and navigate science or engineering literature,
• Sharpen observation skills,
• Improve oral and written communication skills in preparation for post-graduate education or the work environment,
• Create and present written and oral research reports at local, regional and national professional scientific conferences,
• Serve as authors or co-authors on scientific presentations, and
• Serve as authors or co-authors on peer-reviewed publications.

To learn more about the Com-STEM URE CLICK HERE.