Author Profile
Initial Publication Date: April 30, 2019

Purpose + Reach = Individuals Measured for Excellence (PRIME) STEM Project

Rebekah McCloud, University of Central Florida

Program Description

Purpose + Reach = Individuals Measured for Excellence (PRIME) STEM/Student Support Services is a federally-funded TRiO program (U.S. Department of Education). The program supports 120 college students pursuing STEM majors (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) who are first-generation, demonstrate a financial need, and/or have a documented disability.

Program Purpose

PRIME STEM addresses the academic and social needs of eligible students enrolled at the University of Central Florida (UCF) who are first-generation in college, have a documented disability, or demonstrate financial need. The goal of the program is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its scholars by helping them transition from one level of higher education to the next.

Program Goals

As an advocate for access to higher education, PRIME STEM is committed to providing the support necessary to empower participants in developing and achieving academic goals. Through state of the art academic coaching, appreciative advising, holistic mentoring and quality professional and social development, the program will empower students to pursue and successfully earn baccalaureate degrees. We want to help participants to:

  • Develop the necessary skills, knowledge, and attributes to complete a post-secondary education
  • Achieve maximum academic success and career readiness
  • Graduate as skilled, self-actualizing professionals and global citizens who lead through best practices and lifelong learning

Program Activities

  • Academic Support Program Elements (e.g., cohort structure, tutoring, supplemental instruction, peer mentoring)
  • Mentoring Programs (e.g., peers, faculty, near-peers)
  • Learning Community (Cohort Models)

Necessary Resources

  • Executive Director's leadership and expertise
  • Administrative support (matching funds, reporting line, visibility)
  • Location on campus (centrally-located in the student success center)

Notes and Tips

  • The cohort model aids the success of first-generation and low-income students.
  • Wrap around services positively impact the success of students in the murky middle.
  • Appreciative Advising aids student decision making.

Evidence of Success

The Office of Operational Excellence and Assessment provided an analysis report comparing the students who participated in the PRIME STEM program with a randomly selected sample of students with similar characteristics on various student success metrics (cohorts: 2009-2010 to 2014-2015). UCF uses this department to measure the success for each object.

The program has a 96.77% persistence rate and 97.59% of the students have good academic standing. Since the program's inception, 378 students have participated and 160 have earned a Bachelor's degree.

Program Costs and ROI

  • Cost of this initiative in its first year (including start-up costs): $337,211
  • Average yearly costs to maintain this initiative: $278,707
  • Average number of individuals served per year by this initiative: 101-250
  • Average annual rate of success for individuals meeting this initiative's goals: 90-100%

References and Accessory Materials

UCF Student Development and Enrollment Services Website

SDES Retention Brief (link down)

UCF Individual Prior Experience (PE) Points 2016-2017 Report (link down)