Keeping Students in STEM: Mentors, Cohorts and Innovative Classes

Eberly College of Arts and Sciences will host a special presentation from  4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30., in the Rhododendron Room at the Mountainlair Student Union about student inclusion in the sciences followed by a panel discussion featuring experts from across WVU.

 

Kevin Shea, professor of chemistry at Smith College, will first speak on "Student Inclusion in the Sciences: Two Stories about Female Role Models and Cohort-Building for the Success of Underrepresented Students." He will then join a panel of WVU experts for a follow-up discussion on research-backed strategies to attract and retain STEM students from underrepresented backgrounds. A reception with light refreshments will follow. 

 

Kevin Shea - Professor of Chemistry, Smith College

Ann Chester - Director of HSTA, WVU Health Sciences Center 

Melissa Morris - Teaching Associate Professor and Academic Advisor, Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

John Stewart - Associate Professor of Physics Education Research, Department of Physics and Astronomy

Moderator: Greg Dudley - Chair, C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry

 

Program, with approximate times:

Abstract of Kevin Shea’s presentation:

The first story will focus on the role of women in the traditionally male-dominated field of organic chemistry. Inspired by and working with my female students at Smith College, we discovered important contributions to the field by women over the past hundred years. These women now serve as role models for students just entering the field. The second story is about the Achieving Excellence in Math, Engineering, and Science Program at Smith. Over the past 14 years, this program has helped eliminate the performance gap for underrepresented students in science gateway courses through cohort building, targeted mentoring, and faculty engagement.