SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College has received a $5.3 Million federal grant to support students pursuing a career in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM).
The project, “Removing Barriers to STEM Success,” will provide resources for faculty wishing to update curriculum for relevance to the changing job market. It will also pilot and study the potential benefits of math course acceleration, immersion and/or redesign. Faculty across campus will be provided professional development opportunities focusing on the incorporation of non-cognitive, social-emotional teaching strategies into STEM and general education courses.
The grant also funds a faculty mentor program, faculty led supplemental instruction courses, student support services, opportunities for increased faculty and staff interactions with students; and developing articulation agreements with colleges and universities to facilitate the successful transition into STEM majors offered at those institutions.
“This grant will provide SBCC the funds to implement innovative tools to support our students in achieving their STEM educational goals. This grant will also focus on supporting Hispanic and/or low-income students, whom are underrepresented in STEM fields,” said SBCC President Anthony E. Beebe.
The team that developed the grant proposal was comprised of Dr. Jack Friedlander, Executive Vice President, Dr. Elizabeth Imhof, Director of the College’s Faculty Resource Center, and Bronwen Moore, Associate Professor of Mathematics. “The innovative strategies funded by this grant will enhance the college’s efforts to significantly increase the percentage of its students who successfully complete degree and transfer requirements in STEM major fields that are in high demand by employers,” said Dr. Friedlander.
The funds are made possible through the U.S. Department of Education Title III Strengthening Institutions grant.
About Santa Barbara City College: Founded in 1909, Santa Barbara City College currently serves approximately 25,000 students each semester who enroll in courses for transfer preparation, career education, and foundational skills and an additional 4,500 enroll in lifelong learning classes. SBCC was the 2013 national co-winner of the prestigious Aspen Institute Prize for Community College Excellence. The college was recognized for its quality and focus in four areas: facilitating underrepresented and minority student success, student learning outcomes, degree completion and transfer rates, and labor market success in securing good jobs after college.
Our Mission: As a public community college dedicated to the success of each student…Santa Barbara City College provides students a diverse learning environment that inspires curiosity and discovery, promotes global responsibility and fosters opportunity for all.