Pathways Accelerating STEM Success (PASS)
PASS aims to address College of the Mainland’s (COM) critical challenges of making transformative changes in instructional programming to improve STEM learning experiences and student support services connected to STEM programs. COM will implement these thoroughly researched goals to improve STEM learning experiences and student support services, which will lead to an improvement in Hispanic and low-income students’ academic attainment.
Improves STEM Learning Experiences
- Develop new and transferrable STEM programs
- Modernize laboratory learning equipment
- Expand STEM hybrid learning options
- Develop new articulation agreements
Improve STEM Student Support Services
- Broaden STEM tutoring services
- Create a STEM career and experiential learning program
- Offer a STEM contextualized summer bridge program
- Expand the financial literacy program to reach more students
PASS Measurable Objectives:
- Objective 1.1: The number of declared Hispanic STEM majors will increase by three (3) percentage points annually, from 343 to 398.
- Objective 1.2: Full-time equivalent enrollment will increase by five (5) percentage points annually, from 3,091 to 3,945.
- Objective 2.1: Fall-to-fall retention rates for Hispanic students will increase by one (1) percentage point annually, from 64% to 69%.
- Objective 2.2: Three-year graduation rates for Hispanic students will increase by three (3) percentage points overall, from 32% to 35%.
- Objective 2.3: The number of students applying for financial aid will increase by one (1) percentage point annually, from 54% to 59%.
PASS Highlights
2023
Summer Workshop in Math (SWIM)
Title V hosted College of the Mainland (COM) students for a two-week summer math workshop where students attended tutoring sessions to help improve their overall Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) math scores. The purpose of the workshop was two-fold: improve students math placement scores and build connections with faculty, staff and students. Students took field trips to tour Minute Maid Park and University of Houston-Clear Lake as part the workshop to build relationships and gain exposure to universities and the other industries outside of Texas City.
Minority Men for Excellence (MM4E) Leadership Summit
Minority Men for Excellence (MM4E) is a program designed to improve the recruitment and retention of minorities at College of the Mainland (COM). Participants receive academic support and character and leadership development through programs and workshops. Title V supported MM4E Officers who attended the Texas Male Student Leadership Summit at the University of Texas at Austin where they engaged on topics related to college and career readiness, identity, and brotherhood.
Breaking Barriers: Hispanic Women in STEM Panel
Participants from NASA, San Jacinto College, Houston Zoo and Shriners Burn Hospital.
During Hispanic Heritage Month, Title V hosted a well-rounded group of women currently leading successful careers in various STEM fields. Panelists inspired COM students by sharing their journeys of overcoming challenges to achieve their educational and career goals. Students had the chance to connect directly with the panelists, which made for a meaningful and insightful experience.
STEM Outreach and Experimental Learning
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) students hosted Levy Fry Intermediate for their Honors in Action community project. The overarching goal was to engage young minds through a hands-on experiment in the STEM field during their educationally formative years. PTK conducted a balloon rocket staging project referenced by NASA to demonstrate the physics behind aeronautics.
2024
Duck Into STEM Day
Title V collaborated with faculty and staff to host “Duck Into STEM Day” at College of the Mainland (COM), an exciting and educational event designed to ignite a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and showcase different programs COM has to offer. Students participated in a variety of activities led by dedicated and enthusiastic faculty, staff and student volunteers including building simple circuits, balloon rockets with the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and an exciting medical cosplay in the Nursing department.
STEM Week Celebration
The STEM Success Coach promoted STEM programs on campus with a week-long celebration packed with interactive activities designed to engage students in the wonders of STEM. Students also got to interact with Houston Police Department’s S.P.O.T Robot Dog which was on campus for National Robotics Week and had fun “playing soccer” with our robots from Robotics Club. STEM Week concluded with a Solar Eclipse Watch Party on campus on April 8, 2024.
Summer Workshop in Math (SWIM) 2024
The Summer Workshop in Math (SWIM) continued in its third year to offer an opportunity for students to receive rigorous math instruction to improve their math skills in preparation for the Texas Success Initiation Assessment (TSIA). The design of the workshop includes individualized tutoring, presentations from campus success teams, and support from the campus STEM Success Coach. SWIM students are also given the opportunity to take a tour of the UHCL campus, showcasing the many resources available for transfer students. This partnership helps students envision their future academic paths and highlights the benefits of continuing their education.
SynDaver Anatomy Models on Campus
The Title V PASS Grant provided funding for the Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) department to acquire two lifelike SynDaver Anatomy Models – advanced synthetic human model cadavers designed to enhance the educational experience for our students taking A&P courses. SynDaver Anatomy Models simulate real human tissue and organ systems, allowing students to practice dissections, study anatomical structures, and gain a deeper, more tactile understanding of human biology.