Articles tagged with Community Colleges
The National Science Foundation has awarded $2 million to Worcester Polytechnic Institute to support scholarships and mentoring for low-income undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields. The funding will contribute to increasing the size of the U.S. workforce in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
West Virginia University researchers have created a model to redesign introductory college mathematics courses, aiming to increase mathematical literacy among graduates. The SUMMIT-P model encourages interdisciplinary partnerships and applies mathematical concepts to real-world problems across various disciplines.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed a cybersecurity lab, CyberSim Lab, that integrates experiential learning, role play, and collaborative learning to support learning outcomes. The lab is designed to bridge the gap between classroom education and real-world workplace skills.
The SETI Institute has launched the ARISE Lab program, providing hands-on training for community college instructors and students in astronomy, digital signal processing, and radio science. The program combines real-time radio telescope data with experiential learning techniques to spark curiosity and build skills.
The WVU STARS-UP program pairs two-year colleges with nearby four-year institutions to provide astrophysics and astronomy research opportunities. The goal is to create a sustainable pipeline for careers in STEM, focusing on underrepresented students from low socioeconomic communities.
The University of Texas at Arlington is piloting a program that allows community college students from Dallas College's North Lake campus to participate in paid research opportunities with faculty mentors. Students receive $6,000 for their time and effort and have the chance to advance their STEM education and careers.
The ACCELERATE program aims to enhance educational experiences of HCC students, providing access to resources and opportunities for biomedical research training. Students will participate in extracurricular laboratory modules, immersive research training, and mentorship programs.
A recent study reveals that community college students who participate in an immersive nine-week research program develop scientific and professional skills, build a sense of belonging in the science community, and increase their interest in graduate school and STEM careers. The program, led by CIRES E&O, pairs students with scienc...
The University of Illinois' online social work degree programs aim to increase diversity and accessibility by catering to non-traditional students with family and work obligations. The iBSW program enables students to complete a BSW degree solely through online classes, increasing the possibility of earning a baccalaureate degree.
Training programs for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workers are becoming increasingly important to address labor shortages in technical roles. Community colleges and apprenticeships are partnering with regional companies to provide career opportunities for aspiring chemists.
The Unistellar network of app-controlled eVscopes is now the world's largest group of citizen astronomers, thanks to grants from the Lounsbery and Moore Foundations. The updated app will alert citizen scientists to night-sky phenomena, enabling them to participate in crucial planetary defense activities.
A survey of Seattle area college students reveals that four-year college students drink nearly twice as much alcohol as their community college peers, while using marijuana nearly twice as often. The study suggests that perceptions of peer use may play a role in these differences.
A recent study found that two-year colleges receiving promise scholarship funds decreased their spending on instruction by 3.3% and student services by up to 15%. However, four-year colleges received no significant change in spending on student-related expenditures, while experiencing a 14.5% increase in non-student-related public serv...
The study found that institutions are optimized for their function, with community colleges being more efficient due to their smaller size. As prestigious research universities grew in size, tuition increased, faculty salaries increased, and research production dramatically increased. Despite this, completion rates remained the same.
A recent study reveals that social gatherings among unvaccinated students during the 2021 NCAA March Madness basketball tournament led to increased COVID-19 infections in a university community. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, suggests that these gatherings occurred eight days after the final game.
The SETI Institute and Unistellar are providing eVscope telescopes to 25 community colleges in the US, along with training workshops and network collaboration opportunities. The eVscope is a powerful telescope that gives access to 200 times more targets than conventional telescopes, including galaxies, nebulae, and supernovae.
University of Rochester psychologists train adolescents and young adults to reinterpret their stress response as adaptive, leading to reduced anxiety, improved test scores, and healthier coping mechanisms. The study finds that 'good stress' mindset resets help students perform better under pressure and stay enrolled in classes.
The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine and local partners receive an NSF grant to develop a regional regenerative medicine educational network. The project aims to address the workforce needs of the rapidly evolving field, focusing on skilled technician development in biomanufacturing.
A new study estimates that FAFSA verification costs public colleges and universities nearly $500 million annually, with community colleges spending 22% of their financial aid office budget on verification. The burden falls disproportionately on these institutions, which enroll nearly half of all undergraduates.
The SETI Institute has launched the NASA Community College Network (NCCN) to bring NASA subject matter experts, research findings, and educational resources into science classrooms of community colleges. The program aims to amplify NASA's reach into America's community colleges where many students from underserved groups start their hi...
A three-site study found FEND's effectiveness in reducing exhaled particles by up to 99% in participants from the US and India. The results highlight FEND as a practical alternative for improving airway hygiene in low- and middle-income countries with high pollution levels.
A study of 33 free-college programs found significant enrollment increases among Black, Hispanic, and female students. Promise programs with merit-based requirements and full tuition coverage showed the largest boosts in enrollment.
P. Daniel Chen examines cost of dual-enrollment programs in Virginia to estimate true costs for secondary schools and community colleges. The study aims to answer three questions: on-site course costs, administrative support costs, and Commonwealth spending per course and pupil.
A new study reveals that integrating students' experiences of social oppression into the classroom strengthens entrepreneurial and STEM skills among underrepresented groups. Community college students who participated in a five-week social entrepreneurship program reported large gains in confidence and technology readiness.
The $4.28 million grant will fund the W2R Scholars program, supporting at least 150 transfer students in math, life sciences, physical sciences, engineering, and computer sciences. The program aims to increase participation of low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students in STEM fields.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that sharing career goals with someone perceived as having higher status increases motivation and goal achievement. In contrast, sharing with lower-status individuals has no positive effect. The study suggests that caring about what others think can drive goal commitment and performance.
A study found that 60-80% of people surveyed lied about their diet and exercise habits, and failed to disclose medically relevant information. This can lead to inaccurate medical advice and compromised health outcomes.
A $4.9 million grant will expand the LibreTexts project, a national consortium producing free and open-source educational science and technology resources. The expanded project aims to create zero-textbook-cost options for key subjects like chemistry and career training.
A University of Houston researcher is studying 1,000 community college students taking developmental math coursework to understand the causes of math struggles. The four-year study aims to identify factors contributing to math learning disabilities and develop strategies for early intervention.
The University of California, Davis, is targeting underrepresented students in geoscience fields through a five-year project funded by the National Science Foundation. The initiative aims to increase diversity in these areas by providing scholarships and field experiences for eligible students. It will also test a research question abo...
Research shows that community college graduates are more likely to select family medicine for residency training and come from diverse backgrounds. Strengthening medical school outreach at the community-college level is recommended to increase physician diversity and access to primary care.
Research in Annals of Family Medicine reveals a strong association between alcohol consumption and nocturnal leg cramps, particularly among patients over 60 years old. Additionally, partners of individuals with newly diagnosed diabetes exhibit higher rates of behavioral change compared to those without the disease.
A study found that community college graduates are more likely to train in family medicine than those from other institutions. This could be a key strategy to increase the supply and diversity of primary care physicians.
Researchers discovered that wasps produce distinct sounds by drumming their abdomens against different parts of the nest, signaling good food is nearby. This complex communication behavior is similar to that seen in ants, bees, termites, and other social insects.
The university aims to improve STEM transfer student success by providing academically promising, low-income community college students with opportunities for relationships with faculty, advisors, and fellow students. PSU will offer substantial course-based research experiences and individual internships or independent research projects.
The US Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has announced support for projects that strengthen food and agricultural science education in insular areas. The funding is made available through three programs: Resident Instruction Grants Program, Distance Education Grants, and Agriculture and Food ...
A recent study finds that nearly one in five two-year college students live in food-insecure households, with 21% experiencing food insecurity. The study suggests that extending the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to these students could help alleviate hunger and improve outcomes.
The City College of New York is partnering with the University of Texas at El Paso to educate Hispanic doctoral students in environmental sciences and engineering. A $3.7 million NSF grant will fund the project, which aims to train and transition students to STEM instructional faculty positions.
Assistant Professor Yi Zhang has received a $452,257 NSF CAREER grant to study the STEM success of community college transfer students. The project aims to develop a typology of distinct subgroups and provide tailored support for transfer students.
A study found that community college students who borrow up to $1,999 in loans complete 17% fewer academic credits. The researchers suggest that student debt may be contributing to lower credit hour completion rates for some students.
Researchers investigated 2,000 rural high school students' college attendance patterns, finding over half attended two-year colleges and those who only attended were less likely to have educational aspirations. Parental education, track, and teacher expectations predicted college choices.
A study found that student veterans struggle with psychological trauma, experiencing sleep disturbance, hypervigilance, and difficulty concentrating. The research highlights the need for supportive services in higher education to integrate student veterans into campus communities.
A new RAND Corporation study found that community college students participating in the Single Stop U.S.A. Community College Initiative were more likely to persist in attending college. The initiative provides a comprehensive range of support services, including financial assistance and wraparound services for essential needs like hous...
The University of California - Santa Barbara's ESTEEM program offers scholarship funding, outreach, and academic counseling to help low-income engineering transfer students complete their degrees. The initiative aims to address the lack of diversity in STEM fields and provide a critical push to these promising students.
A new paper by University of Illinois expert Andrew Weaver finds that only 16-25% of US manufacturing establishments struggle with skilled worker shortages. The study reveals that reading skills and cluster membership are key predictors of long-term vacancies, contrary to the notion of a severe math and science shortage.
The Community College Innovation Challenge has named 10 finalists for its second annual competition, which aims to develop crucial innovation skills among students. The projects focus on sustainable water resources, renewable energy, and food waste reduction, with the potential to contribute to a more sustainable future.
A new study from UTA explores the motivations behind adult learners' decision to pursue an engineering degree. Adult learners aged 25 and older are driven by perceived prestige and high career goals, including graduate school or internships. The study offers recommendations for campus policies and practices to support these students.
Researchers found that for-profit colleges have no significant difference in generating employer interest compared to two-year community colleges. Employers show no preference for hiring people with for-profit credentials, suggesting they may be an expensive option without added value.
A University of Kansas researcher found that compulsory schooling laws increased school attendance rates and shifted occupational distribution toward skilled and non-manual occupations. This shift created more skilled jobs and raised the occupational distribution, benefiting not only lower-class children but also the broader workforce.
Researchers found that alternative developmental educational pathways can significantly improve academic outcomes for community college students. Three pathways, including summer immersion, English language immersion, and CUNY Start, were evaluated and showed positive effects on student success.
A new study by University of the Pacific researchers finds that foster youth need formal programs for financial and academic assistance to improve their college graduation rates. The study highlights the challenges faced by former foster kids in college, including limited computer skills and lack of financial support.
A University of Houston study found that performance-based funding can lead to 'creaming' effects, where institutions recruit only high-performing students. This can result in reduced admissions for at-risk students, hindering their success. The study recommends direct funding incentives and measures to support student success.
Research published by the American Educational Research Association found that short-term community college certificate programs have minimal economic returns in most fields of study. Associate degrees and long-term certificates, on the other hand, are associated with significant wage gains and increased employment rates. The study sug...
Researchers found that medical students from underrepresented minority backgrounds are more likely to have attended a community college at some point. Additionally, community college students who were accepted to medical school were more likely to commit to working with underserved populations.
The UTSA and Alamo Colleges partnership provides a 10-week Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) CIMA Undergraduate Research Program, funded by a $1.5 million NSF grant. Students work alongside UTSA faculty mentors on research projects in various STEM fields.
The grant will fund GS-LSAMP II from July 2014 through June 2019, expanding upon the success of its precursor, which doubled the number of minority students earning bachelor's degrees in STEM since 2009. The program provides academic support and research opportunities to over 2,000 students across New Jersey colleges.
Research finds community college transfers have equal BA graduation rates to similar students who start at 4-year colleges, but restrictive credit transfer policies hinder this potential. Implementing policy changes can increase BA attainment among community college transfers to 54 percent.
The University of Texas at San Antonio has been awarded a $1.4 million grant to assist community college students seeking to pursue teaching degrees in mathematics and science. The funding will help support the UTSA GE2MS program, which prepares students to become highly qualified science and mathematics teachers in the San Antonio area.
The UCR School of Medicine has received a $3 million grant to augment its pipeline programs, which prepare students for health professions. The funding will support outreach programs in middle school, high school, and community college, aiming to bring greater diversity to the Inland Southern California physician workforce.
A team led by MSU assistant professor Michael Wagner confirmed a two-headed bull shark in the Gulf of Mexico. The specimen had two distinct heads, hearts, and stomachs with a single tail, challenging theories about the cause of such deformities.