Partnership For Mentoring: The Georgia Tech Csems Program At Age Six

This paper reviews six years of experience from the Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics Scholarship (CSEMS) program funded at the Georgia Institute of Technology by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The primary feature of this program is the partnership between academic faculty across a large institution, with the Financial Aid department, in mentoring and supporting the students. In completing their education, students are guided to participate in activities that broaden their horizons. Other innovative features are a grade point requirement profile adjusted to the demands of a challenging program, a requirement to seek out professional-level seminars, and mandatory mentoring. Assessment results indicate continued success in enhancing retention and supporting diversity. A new survey of graduating students reinforces the foundations of the program.