American Association of State Colleges

1
American Association of State Colleges
Universities

• Academic Affairs Summer Meeting
• Boston, Massachusetts
• July 24 27, 2008

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How a Focus on Learning is Building STEM Success

AASCU Academic Affairs Summer Meeting, Boston,
MA, Linda M. Bleicken, Georgia Southern
University, Office of the Provost, July 24-27,
2008
3

The Problems

• Entry level math and science courses had rates of
  failure or withdrawal significantly higher than
  those experienced in other entry level courses.
• High rates of failure in entry level math and
  science courses hurt retention and lowered
  interest in STEM disciplines.

AASCU Academic Affairs Summer Meeting, Boston,
MA, Linda M. Bleicken, Georgia Southern
University, Office of the Provost, July 24-27,
2008
4

The Remedies

• Intrusive Advisement
• Supplemental Instruction
• Peer Mentors
• Residential Interest Groups

AASCU Academic Affairs Summer Meeting, Boston,
MA, Linda M. Bleicken, Georgia Southern
University, Office of the Provost, July 24-27,
2008
5

Source of Funds

• Institutional commitment
• University System commitment
• Funding from National Science Foundation

AASCU Academic Affairs Summer Meeting, Boston,
MA, Linda M. Bleicken, Georgia Southern
University, Office of the Provost, July 24-27,
2008
6

How Failure Rates Decreased

• Pre-Calculus 52.5 to 40.4
• Calculus I 53.2 to 39.2
• Environmental Biology 48.7 to 38.1
• Principles of Chemistry 37.3 to 34.3
• Physics I 45.1 to 42.6

AASCU Academic Affairs Summer Meeting, Boston,
MA, Linda M. Bleicken, Georgia Southern
University, Office of the Provost, July 24-27,
2008
7

Indicators of Success

• Students majoring in chemistry increased by 33
  from 300 to more than 400 during the last two
  years.
• Biology majors up by 14

AASCU Academic Affairs Summer Meeting, Boston,
MA, Linda M. Bleicken, Georgia Southern
University, Office of the Provost, July 24-27,
2008
8

Contact Information Dr. Linda M.
Bleicken Provost and Vice President for Academic
Affairs P.O. Box 8022 Statesboro, Georgia
30470 [phone] Fax (912)
478-5279 lbleicken_at_georgiasouthern.edu