What Works in STEM Intervention Programs for URM Undergraduates

Abstract: This conference paper is authored by Raina Dyer-Barr of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is part of the 2013 ASQ Advancing the STEM Agenda Conference.

Using data collected as part of a larger study of the various factors that affect undergraduate students’ experiences in STEM, this paper addresses the conference topic of STEM student retention best practices. Focusing on intervention programs aimed at increasing the recruitment and retention of minority undergraduates traditionally underrepresented in STEM, this paper explores the perspectives of 56 SIP administrators from 10 large public, research universities around what “works” to enable the successful administration of these programs, especially in terms of how they aid in the recruitment and retention of historically and traditionally underrepresented minority (URM) students in STEM.

Keywords: STEM - Conference Proceedings - Student Retention - Best Practices