A Comprehensive Approach to Improved STEM Education at OLLU
OLLU has been awarded a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education Title V, Part A Developing Hispanic-Serving Institution (DHSI) Program grant.
The funding will be distributed over a five-year period to implement initiatives that will result in:
- More effective core STEM courses in Math, Physics, Physical Science, Biology, and
Chemistry following comprehensive course redesign utilizing the Universal Design for
Learning (UDL) teaching and learning strategies. Within the overall UDL concept, course
revision will include the use of Experiential Learning and Writing to Learn techniques.
- Improved and expanded academic support resources via creation of an Experiential Learning (EXL) STEM Studio equipped with hardware and software to facilitate hands-on active/collaborative experiential learning activities that are discipline-specific and/or interdisciplinary.
The grant objectives include increasing the retention rate of first-time students, increasing the 4-year cohort graduation rate and increasing the number of STEM degrees awarded. To help accomplish the objectives, faculty will participate in a series of professional development activities.
This is the third Title V DHSI grant OLLU has secured since 2009. OLLU received a cooperative grant with San Antonio College in 2014 and an individual development grant in 2009.