Improving retention and success of undergraduate students with enhanced research and leadership opportunities in biology

Regis University received a $499,908 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. The award supports implementation and evaluation of the Regis Research Fellows Program, designed to improve undergraduate student success and retention in biology through expanded research opportunities and leadership development. The program delivers five coordinated activities during students' first three undergraduate years: course-based undergraduate research in redesigned general biology laboratories, paid summer research placements with Regis faculty, academic-year mentoring, summer research experiences at partner institution National Jewish Health, and paid learning assistant positions in biology courses. These structured, evidence-based activities aim to build student confidence, research skills, and sense of belonging in STEM fields.

The project employs mixed-methods research to assess the impact of each program activity on students' science identity, research skills, and sense of belonging, with particular focus on identifying which activities—individually or in combination—most effectively support student success and retention. Findings will be disseminated through presentations, publications, and inter-institutional collaboration to contribute to broader best practices for supporting undergraduate STEM students, particularly at Hispanic-Serving Institutions. The award addresses NSF's priority of broadening participation and improving STEM education outcomes through rigorous evaluation and evidence-based program design.

Abstract

With support from the improving undergraduate stem education: hispanic-serving institutions (HSI program), this implementation and evaluation project at regis university aims to improve undergraduate student success and retention in biology by expanding research opportunities and developing leadership skills through the new regis research fellows program. This project develops structured, evidence-based experiences that help students build confidence, skills, and a strong sense of belonging in stem fields leading to increasing student retention and graduation rates. These efforts will also grow the university's capacity to support future stem students and promote long-term success. The specific aims of the project are to (1) increase recruitment and retention of biology and stem majors, (2) support undergraduate research and mentoring, and (3) prepare students for leadership roles. The regis research fellows program includes a coordinated sequence of five activities during a student's first three undergraduate years: course-based undergraduate research in redesigned general biology labs, paid summer research placements with regis faculty, mentoring during the academic year, summer research experience at a partner institution, national jewish health, and a leadership role as a paid learning assistant in biology courses. Mixed-methods research will be used to assess how students' science identity, research skills, and sense of belonging are impacted. Assessments will be conducted for each of the five activities, then analyzed to determine which activities (alone or in combination) are most effective for student success. Findings will be shared through presentations, publications, and collaboration with other institutions, contributing to best practices for supporting undergraduate stem students. This project is funded by the HSI program, which aims to enhance undergraduate stem education, broaden participation in stem, and increase capacity to engage in the development and implementation of innovations to improve stem teaching and learning at hsis. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are planned for this award.