According to Deborah Herrington, department chair of Chemistry at Grand Valley State University, many students who start in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) field, switch majors within their first two years. This phenomena, Deborah believes, is not caused by a lack of ability.

"Many students who change their major are capable of success in a STEM field," Deborah says. "However, for financial and time reasons, they change disciplines."

Deborah is co-principal investigator, with Paul Plotkowski, Dean of the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, of a new project that they believe will help change the trend. Grand Valley's program, Retaining and Inspiring students in Science and Engineering or RISE, will help ten academically-talented, low-income students seeking an education in the STEM field each year. The program, which received a grant from the National Science Foundation's Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program (S-STEM), combines financial aid with access to services such as tutoring and career counseling.

"Rise provides scholarships to STEM students, particularly students who are low-income and high achieving," says Deborah. "It will also provide students with a mentor to help guide them through their college experience."

The RISE program emphasizes Grand Valley's focus on achievement—expanding support, retention and engagement services to ensure success for every student. Support for programs like RISE will help Grand Valley reach its goal of having 100% of students fully supported throughout graduation.

"If our trend follows the national data, we should see the RISE students finish their programs at a higher rate," says Deborah. "The program will also help students find jobs and be successful after graduation."

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