Recent Grants and Projects


Proyecto STEM: Evidence-Based Approaches to STEM Enrollment, Retention and Graduation At an Urban Public HSI

Source: U.S. Education Department “Hispanic-Serving Institutions- Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (HSI STEM) and Articulation” (Title III, Part F) Program

Program Description

The purpose of the Hispanic-Serving Institutions - Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (HSI STEM) and Articulation Programs is to: (1) increase the number of Hispanic and other low-income students attaining degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics; and (2) to develop model transfer and articulation agreements between two-year and four-year institutions in such fields.

Award: $5,993,582 (with supplements), including $865,854 for endowment

Duration: 1 October 2016–30 September 2021 (5 years)

Project Staff

Project Director- Dr. John Grew, jgrew@njcu.edu

Principal Investigator- Dr. Sue Gerber, sgerber@njcu.edu

Program Assistant/Data Analyst- Kristina Harb, kharb@njcu.edu

Activity One Director- Dr. Alberto Pinkas, apinkas@njcu.edu

Activity Two Director- Dr. Laura Zieger, lzieger@njcu.edu

Articulation Coordinator- Dr. Laura Pannaman, lpannaman@njcu.edu

College Life Coach- Vivianne Jimenez, vjimenez@njcu.edu

College Life Coach- Adriana Rodriguez, arodriguez@njcu.edu

Departments: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Science, Math, Physics, Psychology

Project goals

Activity 1: Promotion of retention & graduation via academic interventions.

  1. The STEM Success Academy for rising sophomores and incoming transfer students;
  2. Professional development for STEM faculty and staff;
  3. Transfer facilitation for minority-serving community college STEM students.

Activity 2: Improvement of instruction and increased retention and graduation through robust learner tvs.

  1. A robust system of high-touch interventions, including intrusive advising, peer mentoring, and career exploration;
  2. Supplemental Instruction for gateway and gatekeeper courses;
  3. Undergraduate Summer Research Internships, laboratory instrumentation and technology. 

Link to funding agency-


On PACE for STEM Success: Personal, Academic & Career Enhancement at an Urban Public HSI

Source: U.S. Education Department “Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions” (Title V, Part A) Program

Program Description

The Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) Program provides grants to assist HSIs to expand educational opportunities for and improve the attainment of Hispanic and low-income students. These grants enable HSIs to expand and enhance their academic offerings, program quality, and institutional stability.

Award: $2,997,125 

Duration: 1 October 2020–30 September 2025 (5 years)

Project Staff

Project Director- Dr. Alberto Pinkas, apinkas@njcu.edu

Program Assistant/Data Analyst- Kristina Harb, kharb@njcu.edu

Activity Director- Dr. Reed Carroll, rcarroll@njcu.edu

Internship & Postgraduate Outcomes Coordinator- Sarah McGough, smcgough@njcu.edu

Articulation Coordinator- Dr. Alberto Pinkas, apinkas@njcu.edu

Departments: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Science, Finance, Math, Physics, Psychology

Project Goal

Aligned with Transforming Lives goals: Improve the enrollment, persistence, graduation and postsecondary success of Hispanic and low-income STEM students at NJCU

Activity

STEM Pathways to Collegiate & Postgraduate Success. Includes a holistic program of personal, academic and career enhancement (PACE), seamless transfer pathways, and work-based learning experiences aligned with occupational needs using the following strategies:

  1. Faculty-led Mentoring Program
  2. Internship & Postgraduate Placement Coordinator
  3. Supplemental Instruction 
  4. Undergraduate Summer Research Internships

Link to funding agency-