Final report on LEAP at UVU: An NSF S-STEM project

Abstract

Utah Valley University (UVU) received an NSF Scholarships in STEM (S-STEM) award in 2014 for $617,396 over a five-years period (with a one-year extension) to strengthen outcomes for students in computer science and engineering through Leadership, Engagement, Academic Mentoring, and Preparation (LEAP). This scholarship program, now in its sixth and final year, is increasing the graduation rate for students in Computer Science and Engineering at UVU, an open enrollment university and better preparing them for continued education and/or success in the STEM workforce. The project provides scholarships to academically talented students with financial need and offers leadership opportunities, engaged learning activities, and mentoring. Sixty-three students meeting the selection criteria have been recruited and awarded scholarships. This paper presents the final report of this scholarship program and its impact on the students, the institution, the Computer Science and Engineering Programs, and workforce development in the region. This NSF Scholarship program has increased student retention, success, and graduation in relation to a comparison group by helping students overcome some of the factors that often limit their educational ambitions. These successes were especially notable for women and first-generation students. The program's requirement that LEAP students participate in the departments' professional organizations (IEEE student chapter and Computer Engineering Club) and encouragement to serve in leadership positions strengthened these organizations for all students in the departments. The LEAP program has contributed to meeting the goals of Utah's Engineering and Computer Science initiative by graduating 28 students in Computer Engineering and Computer Science B.S. programs in the past five years.