ERIC Number: EJ1447236
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0737-7363
EISSN: EISSN-1948-4801
Available Date: N/A
Support of Veterans in STEM Degree Programs to Promote a Diverse and Skilled Workforce
Phillip Morris; Kylie J. Swanson; Kimberly Mastropietro; Lisa M. Hines
Journal of Continuing Higher Education, v72 n3 p253-270 2024
More Americans are needed in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) careers to advance the nation's competitiveness in the global economy. Given the extensive training of military service members, this population is well-poised to transition into STEM careers. While many veterans pursue STEM degrees, they often face hardships that impact their ability to attain STEM credentials. The goal of this mixed methods study was to identify factors that contributed to attaining a STEM degree among students in the Military STEM Scholarship Program (MSSP), a grant-funded program implemented at a university in the United States to assist veterans pursuing STEM degrees. By targeting veterans, this program supported a highly diverse group of students. Based on surveys, focus groups, and interviews, the participants credited their academic and professional success to activities promoted by the MSSP program, such as peer interaction, faculty mentorship, utilization of student support services, and internships. As a result, 80% of MSSP participants obtained a STEM degree, approximately 24 percentage points higher than the institution's average six-year graduation rate for all students. Through these findings, a model is offered for institutions to better serve a growing student veteran population.
Descriptors: STEM Education, Diversity, Job Skills, Labor Force Development, Veterans, Nontraditional Students, Scholarships, Influences, Educational Attainment, Difficulty Level, Public Schools, Higher Education
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A