Features of Building Scholars’ Summer Research Weeks Towards Student Retention and Graduation

Abstract

Title V - Building Scholars is a partnership between Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) and Laredo College (LC) to increase the number of Hispanic and low-income students attaining post-secondary certifications, associate and bachelor’s degrees. It aims to prepare students to compete for positions in graduate and professional schools, thus increasing the competency and diversity of our workforce. This paper highlights the extent of faculty intervention in this component of the program, including features, format, and successes of Summer Research Week (SRW). SRW provides incoming TAMIU students, particularly LC transfer students, with discipline-specific research to succeed in entry-level courses at TAMIU.