Success = Student * (Support + Internships)

​

Brian Candido, Professor, Computer Information Technology, Springfield Technical Community College

Lara L Sharp, Dean, College of Engineering, Technology, and Advanced Manufacturing, Valencia College

The STEM center will:

​

• Increase student enrollment of STEM majors offered at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC).
• Improve student perseverance in STEM majors through bootcamps, utilizing campus resources, providing STEM active learning opportunities, and offering peer tutoring and supplemental instruction.
• Improve student retention with case management, intrusive advising, and coaching.
• Increase student diversity in STEM majors.
• Provide career exploration and internships.
• Educate students in financial literacy.
• Improve student completion in a STEM major to either join the workforce or transfer to a four year institution.

STEM Center Goals and Objectives

​

• Over 30% of STCC students identify as Hispanic/LatinX
• Approximately 60% of students are 19-24 years old
• Over 60% of attendees are part-time students
• Over 70% of STCC graduates are employed
• Over 55% of STCC students are Pell eligible
• Over 20% of STCC students are enrolled in a STEM related program
• Over 25% of Hispanic/LatinX students are enrolled in a STEM related program

​

STUDENTS

SUPPORT + INTERNSHIPS

• Steady double digit STEM enrollment increase over four years
• STEM student retention (fall to fall) over 60%
• STEM Hispanic/LatinX graduation over 55%
• Over 20 STEM student peer tutors covering over 25 STEM courses
• 28 STEM students received an internship
• Over 45 STEM student Supplemental Instructors covering over 45 STEM courses and assisting over 35 STEM faculty

​

SUCCESS

Introduction

Brian Candido

Professor of CIT

Springfield Technical Community College

Springfield, Massachusetts

blcandido@stcc.edu

​

Lara L Sharp

Dean of Engineering, Technology, and Advanced Manufacturing

Valencia College

Orlando, Florida

lsharp6@valenciacollege.edu

​

CONTACT INFO:

Support Services

• Three embedded STEM advisors
• Summer Math Bootcamps
• Laptop and calculator lending
• STEM activities and field trips
• STEM Scholarships
• Financial literacy coach
• STEM Center

Background

●Springfield Technical Community College is the only technical community college in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Founded in 1967.

●Approximately 5,500 students

●83 Certificates and Associate Degrees

●Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI)

●Co-located with the Springfield Armory National Historic Site

​

Spring 2019–STEM Center opens using DOE Title III funds to provide tutoring and supplemental instruction

Spring 2022–STEM Center expansion using DOE Title V and Title III funds to also include STEM focused advising, coaching, and summer camps.

​

Internships

2023-2025, 273 STEM worked with internship coordinator

• Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center https://www.mghpcc.org
• MassMutual https://www.massmutual.com/
• MassDOT
• Holyoke Gas & Electric
• Barnes Aerospace
• Chapdelaine Builders
• Applied Chemistries

Student Testimonials Internships

"I was able to work with different clients that otherwise

wouldn't of had the ability to work with" Kayla Davin '24

​

"I learned many skills involving conservation and the necessary steps for the environment" Travis Canary '25

​

“The SI program encouraged me to believe in me.” Anonymous

​

“I was going to give up...college was not for me. Started to work with SIs and I passed. Now I will be the first in my family to finish college!” Anonymous

Supplement Instruction

• Must have already taken the class with a B or higher
• SI’s attend class lectures and embedded in the class
• Conduct Individual Review Session by appointment
• Group reviews 2 days week for 1 hour outside of class
• Provide peer connections and the opportunity for help
• Data suggest a full grade letter improvement

Template ID: ponderingpeacock Size: 48x36

Template ID: ponderingpeacock Size: 48x36