Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

August 30, 2002

13 projects awarded grants

by Anne Krapfl
Thirteen proposals will share $30,000 in grant funding this year for projects aimed at recruiting students to Iowa State or encouraging them to stay to earn degrees. The grant program, now in its ninth year, is funded by the President's Office and administered by a standing committee of the Professional and Scientific Council.

The 13 were selected from 24 proposals submitted, requesting a total of $144,426, said Kelly McCool, who chairs the committee this year. The grant awards range in size from $400 to $6,307. Grant recipients will be asked to turn in mid-year and end-of-year reports on specific outcomes of their efforts.

McCool said the committee considered several factors in judging the proposals, including number of students impacted, attainability of the proposal, number of P&S staff involved, amount of matching support and the number of departments or units involved in the project or program.

Following is a brief summary of the 13 funded proposals:

An educational outreach program to high school guidance counselors on ISU's learning communities, so they'll recommend Iowa State to students whose interests fit with learning communities. $2,061.
A support network for female undergraduate students in agronomy, with high school visits to help recruit girls into the agronomy field. $675.
A statistical evaluation of four criteria used to admit students to ISU's bachelor of architecture program to see if/how they relate to retention and graduation of students, as well as student satisfaction and performance. The study also will evaluate current retention programs. $2,490.
A summer experiential learning program in the College of Education for Iowa high school minority students to inspire them to pursue careers in teaching, health and human performance or industrial technology. $2,499.
A series of workshops in the College of Engineering to educate undergraduate students about the value of a graduate degree generally, and about ISU graduate programs and preparing for graduate school. $2,600.
A series of non-alcoholic entertainment alternatives for students, to reduce negative behaviors and consequences associated with drinking, cut down on binge drinking and ultimately make Iowa State a more attractive place for high-achieving students. $6,307.
An outreach program that targets one high school and encourages students -- particularly girls and minority students -- to look at careers in transportation and civil engineering, where a critical need exists for professionals. $2,220.
An online mentoring program that matches undergraduate female students in science, technology, engineering or math with high school girls who have indicated an interest in one of these fields (to both improve the experience of ISU students and encourage high school students to enter fields where they traditionally are underrepresented). $2,275.
Enhancements to the recruiting efforts in economics and ag business that include a series of special recruitment letters and an invitation to "breakfast with the professor" for prospective students. $1,640.
A series of field trips and tutoring/mentoring sessions by ISU students and P&S staff with non-English-speaking immigrant and minority populations in Perry, to explain to them the importance and accessibility of higher education. $3,833.
A survey of new Engineering students at the start and conclusion of fall semester to determine what affects their success in the first semester of college. This will be shared with advisers to help students choose courses and resources better. $400.
A one-day conference for faculty and students at institutions within a day's drive of ISU that have chemistry programs. The goal is to recruit top students to Iowa State's chemistry graduate program and develop some of these schools as "feeder" schools to ISU graduate programs. $1,500.
A "prospective students" database within Continuing Education and Communication Services that helps staff better manage contacts with, and recruitment of, off-campus students for off-campus credit programs. $1,500.