Scientific Leadership Scholars: Program Evaluation Year I

In this process evaluation of the first year of a five-year National Science Foundation STEM grant, the author presents the program goals, as well as the recruitment and selection activities and outcomes. The Scientific Leadership Scholars (SLS) project promised 120 scholarships of $3623 over a four year period to financially needy Native American or first generation students studying Computing Science (CS), Environmental Resources Engineering (ERE), and Mathematics (Math). Thirty students were chosen to participate in an enhanced academic program including leadership training, professional development and support services. Participants were strongly encouraged to enroll in an interdisciplinary service learning seminar using collaborative problem solving with local Native American communities.