BRCC to LSU Engineering Pathway to Success

The National Science Foundation (NSF) S-STEM scholarship program, Engineering Pathway to Success, is a joint effort of the College of Engineering at Louisiana State University (LSU) and Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC). It supported the engineering degree progression program with students earning a BRCC associate of science in engineering and completing a bachelor’s of science engineering degree at LSU. Over five years, the program provided scholarships and academic/ professional support to 36 students who demonstrated academic talent and financial need. The primary goals of the program were: to utilize scholarships to create and sustain a pathway for BRCC transfer students and to develop a successful model for transfer students from other community colleges and 4-year institutions based on the experiences and outcomes of the project. The Pathway Scholarship project in collaboration with the STEP 1B Engineering Grant had specific objectives supporting these goals. They were: (1) develop and maintain an effective liaison between BRCC and LSU; (2) utilize scholars in a peer ambassador program facilitating transfer success; (3) establish a pre-transfer academic counseling program; (4) expand existing seminars to orient and integrate BRCC and other transfer students into LSU and (5) invite BRCC math, science and engineering faculty to participate in ongoing Faculty Development. Activities of the program included outreach, professional development, advising, and developing an overall assessment tool. All scholars participated in outreach activities that consisted of Peerto-Peer talks at BRCC each semester and Shadow Days at LSU for BRCC students. The Pathway scholars also were incorporated into the formalized LSU peer mentor training program and participated in Transfer Career Day for new transfer students. Advising for BRCC students was enhanced with the addition of a counselor who spent time at both campuses. Survey tools were created to gain a better understanding of the transfer students at key points of their academic career and to assess the program. The questionnaire was administered to students considering transferring to LSU and Pathway scholars. Scholarships were awarded to four cohorts; Cohort 1five students, Cohort 2 – seven students, Cohort 3 twelve students, and Cohort 4 – twelve students. The eligibility and selection criteria included earning pre-engineering AS degree from BRCC with a 2.75 minimum cumulative GPA and financial need, and the selection committee included faculty and staff from both campuses. The overall persistence (i.e. retention and graduation) of Pathway Scholars in LSU engineering was 94% and the mean GPA was 3.09. All scholars from Cohort 1 graduated, and the mean GPA was 3.22. LSU engineering retention and graduation for Cohort 2 was 86%, and the mean GPA at graduation was 2.89. Cohort 3 students transferred to LSU fall 2013 or spring 2014, and the persistence was 100%. Cohort 3 continuing students (n= 2) have a mean GPA of 3.35 and the graduates (n=10) had a mean GPA of 2.94. Cohort 4 students transferred to LSU fall 2014 or spring 2015, and the persistence was 92% after one scholar relocated. Cohort 4 continuing students (n= 10) had a mean GPA of 3.17 and the graduates (n=2) had a mean GPA of 3.35. Results indicate that the Pathway scholars have a graduation rate that greatly exceeds the historical (2003-2009) 25% rate for BRCC transfers to LSU. Overall, the Pathway Scholar Program is rated very highly by the scholars according to the questionnaire, and the program is delivering on its promise of supporting the students financially so they can focus more on their education, and connecting students with others in their field.