Initial Publication Date: August 27, 2026
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Support the Whole Student

The percentage of students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields in the US has been declining in recent decades. Many of the reasons why are complex and multi-faceted and have been the subject of a lot of sustained work in higher education.  Initiatives with holistic approaches - those that go beyond what happens in the classroom - have shown the most success at supporting students of all kinds from entry to graduation and/or transfer.  These efforts support the whole student.

Attract students to courses and programs »

  • Reach Out to K12 Students and Teachers
  • Partner with Community Colleges
  • Prioritize Introductory Courses
  • Communicate Career Opportunities
  • Involve Students in Research Experiences
  • Demonstrate Relevance To Students' Lives

Support students through to graduation »

  • Provide Academic Supports
  • Build a Sense of Community
  • Teach Students How to Learn
  • Prioritize Advising and Mentoring
  • Facilitate Real-World Experiences
  • Foster Interdisciplinary Learning


Prepare students for meaningful careers »

  • Facilitate Real-world Experiences
  • Teach Specific Workforce Skills
  • Focus on Local Issues
  • Develop Networking Opportunities


Projects with a Focus on Supporting the Whole Student


Results 1 - 5 of 15 matches

C-ChanGe
The Cultural Change in Geoscience (C-ChanGe) project works toward a vision of the future where all people at each stage of their career experience academic geoscience as a safe and welcoming environment where they ...

Grade Level: College Lower (13-14), College Upper (15-16)
Subject: Geoscience

North Star STEM Alliance
The North Star STEM Alliance partnership has set a goal to focus on improving retention among minority STEM students who have transferred to universities to complete their bachelor's degree. The Alliance ...

Grade Level: College Lower (13-14), College Upper (15-16)

IE3: Meaningful evaluation of effective and inclusive teaching (LCC4)
IE3 Learning Community Cluster 4 (LCC4) is working to make substantial, cross-institutional progress toward meaningful evaluation of inclusive teaching by working collaboratively on three important pillars ...

Grade Level: College Lower (13-14), College Upper (15-16)

InTeGrate
InTeGrate is a STEM-Talent Expansion Program facilitating a large, diverse community of practice in learning about teaching and collaborating for a sustainable future. As the project leadership and hub, SERC ...

Grade Level: High School (9-12), College Lower (13-14), College Upper (15-16), Informal, General Public

Promoting Geoscience, Research, Education and Success
The PROGRESS (PROmoting Geoscience, Research, Education and SuccesS) Program aims to mentor STEM undergraduates who identify as women interested in the Geosciences through a combination of formal and informal, ...