School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering (NSME)

Institution:

California State University-Bakersfield

State:

California

Academic Level:

Baccalaureate

Issue Area:

Retention

Program Focus:

STEM

Website:

http://www.csub.edu/nsme/

Key Personnel:

Jane Dong

Contact Info:

jdong2@csub.edu | 661.654.3450

Overview

The purpose of the School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering (NSME) is to increase the number of students earning a STEM degree, with a specific focus on increasing the number of underrepresented minorities, particularly Latino students.

Program Description

The School of NSME is dedicated to providing an outstanding educational experience and committed to offering excellent degree programs that advance the intellectual and personal development of its students.

Outcome

Over the years NSME has worked to improve Latino STEM enrollment, growing the program from 670 students in 2006 to 1039 students in 2010, of which 40% were Latino. Their efforts have demonstrated a 55% increase in overall enrollment, and an 88% increase in Latino enrollment, specifically.

Much of this increase is due to transfer and articulation efforts with Bakersfield College. In 2006, only 22% of all transfer students enrolling in STEM were Latino – by 2011, 50% were Latino.

The first-year retention rate for Latino STEM students grew from 72% in 2006 to 78% in 2010, exceeding the first-year retention rate for all STEM students.

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