Fostering engagement through linkages and leadership opportunities in stem

The National Science Foundation Division of Undergraduate Education awarded Webster University $400,000 on October 15, 2026, under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) to foster student belonging and persistence in STEM fields through a fellowship and leadership development initiative.

Webster University will establish a fellowship program for undergraduate STEM students centered on personal development, leadership training, and peer mentoring. The project recruits and trains STEM fellows in leadership, communication, and peer mentoring skills to facilitate structured engagement activities designed to strengthen belonging among all STEM students. The university will assess changes in students' sense of belonging and persistence using longitudinal survey data and institutional outcomes, with findings disseminated through presentations and publications to advance understanding of effective approaches for fostering belonging in STEM learning environments.

The project operates from October 15, 2026, through September 30, 2029, with performance at Webster University's Webster Groves, Missouri location. This Level 1 Engaged Student Learning project investigates how leadership development, communication skills, and peer fellowship programs influence STEM undergraduate students' sense of belonging and persistence, aiming to strengthen social connections and cultivate belonging to increase student matriculation and retention in STEM fields.

Abstract

This project aims to serve the national interest by increasing students? Matriculation and persistence in stem fields by promoting a stronger sense of belonging. The project's importance lies in advancing understanding of how social capital and belonging contribute to student retention in stem. Importantly, stem fields provide secure pathways for upward mobility while preparing well-equipped individuals to address global challenges and advance national health through innovation. This project plans to strengthen social connections and cultivate belonging in stem through evidence-informed leadership development and peer engagement. This level 1 engaged student learning project plans to establish a fellowship program focused on personal development and leadership training for future stem leaders while enhancing stem undergraduates? Sense of belonging and community. The project?s importance lies in advancing understanding of belonging, communication and leadership in stem education, with the potential to increase student retention and strengthen the stem workforce through sustainable and adaptable practices. The project?s goals are to investigate how leadership development, communication skills and a peer fellowship program influence stem undergraduate students? Sense of belonging and persistence. The scope of this project includes recruiting and training undergraduate stem fellows in leadership, communication and peer mentoring, who will program and facilitate structured engagement activities designed to strengthen belonging among all stem students. The project plans to assess changes in students? Sense of belonging and persistence utilizing longitudinal survey data and institutional outcomes, while dissemination plans include presentations and publications to advance understanding of effective and sustainable approaches for fostering belonging in stem learning environments. The NSF iuse: EDU program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of stem education for all students. Through the engaged student learning track, the program supports the creation, exploration, and implementation of promising practices and tools. 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.