Semillas: Planting the Seeds for a Brighter Tomorrow
Semillas will support both incoming and exiting students through the strengthening of student support services and, in doing so, improve the academic achievements of Hispanic and underrepresented students. This grant will serve COM students by making transformative changes to the institutional academic services that promote a strong start to students’ academic journeys and will strengthen student support services that focus on academic transfer students and their need for resources to increase educational outcomes and post-graduation success and transfer rates.
Increase Institutional Support of Math Corequisite Students
- Create a new Math Lab
- Increase contact hours for corequisite students
- Provide a no-cost math software for corequisite students
- Provide success coaching for all math students
Strengthen Student Support Services
- Create a Graduation and Transfer Specialist role
- Increase articulation agreements
- Create a Student Resource Coordinator role to strengthen connections to community resources
Semillas Measurable Objectives:
- Objective 1.1: The percentage of students successfully completing both courses in a corequisite math pairing will increase from 35% to 43%.
- Objective 1.2: Fall-to-spring persistence rates for corequisite math students will increase from 66% to 70%.
- Objective 2.1: The average number of credits earned per degree will decrease from 76 to 71.
- Objective 2.2: The percentage of first-time, full-time, degree seeking undergraduates enrolled at COM graduating within three years of enrollment will increase from 34% to 37%.
- Objective 2.3: The percent of students enrolled in a transfer degree program that successfully transfer will increase from 19% to 24%.
Semillas Highlights
2024
Resource Fair
The Student Resource Coordinator facilitated a Community Resource Fair in collaboration with community partners such as M.I. Lewis, Galveston County Food Bank, NAMI Gulf Coast, Adria Women’s Health, Gulf Coast Center, Workforce Solutions, and Coastal Health and Wellness. This event connected students to essential services such as food, mental health support and job placement.
HACU ¡Adelante! Leadership Institute
Six COM students traveled to Denver to attend the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) ¡Adelante! Leadership Institute and Annual Conference. This three-day career leadership and development symposium brought together over 800 students plus 2,000 staff from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Our students connected with potential employers, federal agencies, and university representatives, gaining insights into a variety of career paths and education opportunities. The students also built strong connections with each other and planned to connect more once they returned to campus. Each student said that they felt inspired by the experience and returned with new aspirations, a stronger network, and a strengthened sense of community.
Café y Conchas con Consejeros Transfer Workshop
The Café y Conchas con Consejeros Transfer Workshop was a collaboration between the Graduation Transfer Coordinator, Academic Advisors and the Hispanic Heritage Month committee. The event included an overview of the transfer process by highlighting academic programs, support services, and the four-year HSIs who were in attendance. Transfer experiences from COM employees highlighted the importance of community and mentorship in this educational journey. Attendees participated in interactive conversations aimed at enhancing their understanding of the transfer process and building connections with peers and institutions, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment.
Coaching
This year at College of the Mainland, Math and STEM Success coaches engaged in individualized support for students and outreach initiatives that enriched the student population at COM. By tailoring their approach to each student’s unique needs, success coaches helped to identify strengths and areas for improvement, offer guidance in study habits, time management, and goal setting.
Programs included free calculator rentals, school supplies, classroom visits, outreach, and career exploration opportunities ensure students had the resources they need to thrive. Success coaches helped to navigate student challenges, celebrate achievement, and foster a culture of collaboration and resilience to the students at College of the Mainland.