Recruiting Underrepresented Students to STEM at Top Research Institutions

Azizi James, M.A. – Interim Associate Director of Recruitment and Yield

Bree Blades, M.Ed. – Admissions Officer

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OverviewAbout Our University

History

Program Outcomes

Recruitment & Outreach

Program Expansion

Data Analysis

Lessons Learned

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UC System

University of California San Diego

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University Profile• Founded in 1960• 28,127 Undergraduate Enrollment• Recognized as one of the top 15 research universities worldwide• Fall 2017 Profile

• 88,000+ freshmen applications• 30,000+ Admitted (34% Admit Rate)• Average GPA: 4.08 (Weighted, 10th and 11th grade)

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Undergraduate Demographics: 2017-18

White, 5,463, 19.2%

Asian, 10,753, 37.8%

Pacific Islander, 45, 0.2%

American Indian, 124, 0.4%

Chicanx/Latinx, 5096, 17.9%

African-American/Black, 707,

2.5%

International Citizen, 5445, 19.1%

Undeclared/Missing, 811, 2.9%

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University Rankings

• Top 3 for Social Mobility, Research, and Service

• 1st for Women in STEM

• 5th Best Theatre and Dance program

• 12th for Scientific Impact

• Top 10 Best Public University

• Changemaker campus

• Emerging HSI

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36%

20%

18%

9%

9%

4%

4%

23%

23%

20%

17%

14%

2%

2%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

Social Science

Biology

Engineering

Undec/Special

Science/Math

Arts

Humanities

2016 2006

Undergraduate Enrollment by Major Field of Study

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History of Our Program

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Layout & Structure

• Week-Long Residential Program

• COMPLETELY FREE

• Transportation

• Meals

• Housing

• Rising High School Seniors

• Paired with Undergraduate Mentor

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Rationale

• Increase enrollment of underrepresented populations

• Increase interest in UC San Diego• Provide a unique, on-campus

experience, highlighting our cutting-edge technology and facilities

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Key Stakeholders

• Student Affairs

• Faculty

• Office of Admissions

• Undergraduate and Graduate Mentors

• Division of Biological Sciences Development

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Budget

Program Outcomes

• Showcase UC San Diego’s cutting edge facilities and beautiful campus

• Highlight various academic majors on campus via academic sessions and hands-on activities

• Connect students with Faculty, Staff, Graduates and Undergraduates

• Conduct a UC Application and Financial Aid Overview

• Introduce University Campus Resources

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Program Implementation

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Recruitment & Outreach

• Targeted School Outreach Approach

➢ STEM Magnet Schools

➢ Performing Art Schools➢ UC San Diego Partner Schools

• Community Based Organizations

• California Community Colleges

➢ UMOJA, PUENTE, EOPS, and other programs

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Limitations

• Budget

• Nonresidents

• Quantity vs. Quality

• Staff/Faculty Availability

• Recruitment Seasons

• Recruiting Student Workers

• Start of Fall Semester/Quarter

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Application Process

• Personal Statement• GPA • Major Area of Interest

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Data Analysis

• School Profile (Demographics, Applicants/Admit/Enrolls, and School Specialization)

• Program Eligibility Requirements• Target Populations

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Program Layout

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Day at Scripps Institute of Oceanography

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Closing Day

Scripps Research Aquarium

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Interview Workshop

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Center for the Future of SurgeryUC San Diego School of Medicine

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Molli and Arthur Wagner Dance Building

Dance Workshop

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Expansion

Expansion of Academic Disciplines (2017)◦ Arts & Humanities

◦ Social Sciences (2019)

Community College Transfer Track (2017)

Alignment of All Programs (2018) ◦ Triton Summer Academy

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Data & Results

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0

50

100

150

200

250

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

30 32

93

136 144

6375

# Applications

Triton Summer STEM Academy Triton Arts & Humanities

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Program Participants

Asian/Pacific Islander, 83,

(46%)

African-American/Black, 30,

(17%)

Latino/Latina/Latinx, 57, (32%)

White/Caucasian, 5, (3%)

Multiple Ethnicities, 3, (2%)

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Program Participants

Men, 72, (38%)

Women, 117, (62%)

Non-Binary, 1, (0.005%)

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30 32

55

89

29 29

51

79

21

8

30

73

14

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

2014 2015 2016 2017

Triton Summer Academies Through the Years

# Participants # Applicants # Admits # Enrolled

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University of California Office of the President - Institutional Research and Academic Planning

33.33%

37.50%

46.67%

21.00% 19.53%19.24%

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

30.00%

35.00%

40.00%

45.00%

50.00%

2014 2015 2016

Triton Summer Academies vs. UC San Diego Yield Rates

TSA Yield Rate UC San Diego Yield Rate

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Positive Experiences

94%

5%1%

IMPACT OF ACADEMY ON APPLYING TO UC SAN DIEGO

Positive Impact No Impact Negative Impact

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Positive Experiences

Excellent

Above Average

Average

Below Average

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

104

32

1

1

Rating of Academy

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Student Voices

“The Triton Summer Academy gave me an entirely new view on UC San Diego. The academy exposed me to the university life of UC San Diego and how amazing the campus truly is. I was able to see professionals in their fields and was able to learn from them. I met passionate students who do not only care for their studies, but for their communities. The academy truly changed how I saw the university in the most positive way.”

“I am more excited and determined to become a UCSD Triton because I have seen all the opportunities that this campus has had to offer.”

“The medical school made me change my mind. Also, being able to tour around the whole campus made me really consider the college for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees.”

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Lessons Learned

• Collaboration is Critical to Success➢ Student Affairs > Academic Departments > Enrollment Management >

Development

• Undergraduates & Graduates Make a Significant Impact

• Competitive Applicant Pool

• Impact of on campus experience

• More than the academics

• More intentional outreach➢ Native American Students➢ Student Veterans

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Questions?

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