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Grants Administration

Computer Science, Mathematics & Technology (CMT)
Academic Rewards Program

Academic Rewards Project Student Support Services and Programs

In addition to the existing college support services described under section d. above, the CSEMS Scholars will be provided the following services to develop a learning community of Scholars, enhance student learning and retention to graduation.

Recruitment of Scholars. Described under Student Selection Process and Criteria.

Support and Mentoring by Faculty. As part of this project, all CMT Academic Rewards Program Scholars will be assigned a faculty mentor with whom they will have contact on a bi-weekly basis during the first term and least twice per term thereafter.

Discipline-specific Academic Support Services. The CIS, Math, and Technology areas provide specialized assistance through discipline-specific learning labs. Students are able to complete class assignments and seek specialized assistance and tutoring in these labs. Most labs are staffed with full-time lab assistants who are well educated in their specific field of assistance.

Peer Tutoring. Selected second-year CMT Academic Rewards Scholars will mentor entering first-year Scholars by meeting with them at least once each month to discuss concerns and provide guidance during their first term. First term scholars and those experiencing academic difficulties will be required to participate in peer tutoring activities that will provide them with the experience and knowledge of the advanced Scholars. The peer tutoring program will provide a forum for discussion and support among the scholarship recipients. The PI with the assistance of the Clerk will coordinate the selection of tutors, schedule tutoring sessions, and monitor results. No second year Scholar will be required to participate as a tutor/mentor, but will have the opportunity to do so. Those students having trouble in a major course or on project probation will be scheduled for tutoring assistance from a sophomore Scholar in their program, from a faculty member or college lab assistant.

Industry Internships and Learning Experiences. Each Scholar will be provided the opportunity to participate in a work-based learning experience provided by an area business or industry. In conjunction with the PAT, industry representatives will identify opportunities for CMT Scholars to interact with professionals. Such opportunities will include job shadowing, group tours, guest speakers, mentoring opportunities, and/or short-term internships at the business location. [Commitments are included in the letters in the Supplementary Documentation.] Industry representatives and faculty will assist scholars in identifying appropriate local professional meetings or conferences to attend. Scholars will be encouraged to attend and, when warranted, attendance fees can be paid from the student support dollars of the project. Huntsville has a highly organized, active group of technical associations that have joined together to form the Huntsville Association of Technical Societies (HATS). HATS is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) association of seventy Huntsville area technical and professional societies dedicated to the advancement of science and engineering, representing approximately 21,000 individuals. Numerous educational programs are sponsored through HATS members each year including those specifically targeted at high school and college students. Faculty mentors will assist students in taking advantage of appropriate eMentoring opportunities sponsored through HATS organizations such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Real-World Readiness Workshops. All CMT Academic Rewards Scholars will be required to complete 3 semester hours of Real-World Readiness Workshops. Workshops address such topics as problem solving, team building, self-management, employability skills, organizational communication, interpersonal relations for management, fiscal management, time/project management, ethics, and stress management. Each workshop carries one-semester-hour credit which can be used as an elective in some programs of study. (Scholars may be exempted from this requirement by the PI or Co-PI from their respective disciplines, when circumstances warrant.) Several c ourse sections as options for the Scholars as a cohort will be scheduled each term to enable the building of support among Scholars and the development of a learning community.

Access to Technology and Support . See Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources.

Career Counseling and Job Placement . These are described under section d. above. In addition, CMT faculty mentors will assist graduating Scholars with job placement or transfer.

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