Collaborative research: building a computing and engineering network to foster academic excellence among low-income scholars

The National Science Foundation Division of Undergraduate Education awarded San Luis Obispo County Community College District (operating as Cuesta College) $1.2 million on March 15, 2026, under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) to support scholarships and student success activities for low-income scholars pursuing computer science and engineering degrees.

Scholars from Cuesta College and Allan Hancock College receive scholarships averaging $13,000 annually for up to five years, along with faculty co-mentoring across both institutions, strengths coaching, internship placements, and student research opportunities. The project builds scholar cohorts through structured networking and connection activities. An external evaluator will examine factors contributing to successful transfer and the sustainability of institutional change, with findings intended to advance the knowledge base on effective support strategies for talented, low-income STEM undergraduates.

The period of performance runs through February 29, 2032, with place of performance in San Luis Obispo, California. This is a collaborative Track 3 project designed to increase STEM degree completion and strengthen the workforce pipeline in engineering, computer science, and related critical sectors.

Abstract

This project will contribute to the national need for well-educated scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and technicians by supporting the retention and graduation of high-achieving, low-income students with demonstrated financial need. A total of scholars pursuing associate degrees from allan hancock college and cuesta college, and bachelor of science degrees in computer science and engineering will receive scholarships averaging $13,000 for up to five years at each institution. Scholars will receive faculty CO-mentoring across institutions and the project will build strong scholar cohorts through connection and networking opportunities. Additional activities for scholars include strengths coaching, internships, and student research. The overall goal of this track 3 project is to increase stem degree completion of academically talented, low-income undergraduates with demonstrated financial need. There is a significant national need to grow the stem workforce and nurture key talent that will ensure economic competitiveness and provide domestic leadership across critical sectors. This project directly speaks to this need by supporting stem student success, which will strengthen the workforce in engineering and computer science and other key areas of need. The project will be assessed by an experienced evaluator that will examine factors that contribute to successful transfer and the sustainability of institutional change. The data generated will contribute to the knowledge base regarding effective strategies to support talented, low-income students in stem. This project is funded by NSF?S scholarships in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics program, which seeks to increase the number of academically talented, low-income students with demonstrated financial need who earn degrees in stem fields. IT also aims to improve the education of future stem workers, and to generate knowledge about academic success, retention, transfer, graduation, and academic/career pathways of low-income students. 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 not planned for this award.