BROADENING PARTICIPATION OF RURAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRANSFER STUDENTS IN STEM DEGREES AND CAREERS

Abstract

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that computer and information technology occupations are expected to grow by 12% from 2018 to 2028, this will translate to an additional 546,200 new positions. The demand for skilled workers in the computing fields needs to be addressed to fill these positions with talent from diverse backgrounds. The diversity in the computing workforce will enrich the innovations developed and enhanced while ensuring fairness and representation of all groups. Colleges, universities, and boot camps are creating avenues to close the skill gap. However, the STEM fields, including computing, are shown to have barriers to entry for typically underrepresented groups. The National Science Foundation (NSF) has funded a five-year project to support Robert Morris University's efforts to broaden participation of underrepresented groups in the STEM fields. This paper will highlight the beginning stages of this project and add to the discussion on engaging low-income, academically talented community college transfer students in computing majors (cyber-forensics, computer information systems, data analytics or information science). Additionally, this paper will address the significant role of mentoring to help students achieve success in the STEM fields.