What Effects Does the UWise Program for Entering College Freshmen with Intended STEM Majors have on the Retention Rate and GPAs of Participating Female and Male Students

This mixed methods study examined the first two models of the UWise program, a college transition program for entering college freshmen that declared a STEM Major, to determine the effects on college retention and GPAs of participating male and female students as compared with a matched cohort. The researcher used year of college entry, gender, and college admissions test data to form the matched groups of Non-UWise and UWise participants. Phase One of the study used quantitative analysis to reveal differences in retention rates and GPAs for the first two cohorts. The study found that the UWise participants in cohort two earned higher English/writing and institutional GPAs than their Non-UWise counterparts. The study also revealed that males in cohort two of UWise earned higher GPAs in English/writing courses during their first year, while female UWise participants earned higher institutional GPAs. Phase 2A of the study examined focus group data while Phase 2B of the study analyzed transcripts of interviews conducted with nine faculty members associated with the UWise program. That qualitative data revealed several components of the UWise model as being effective with the clear key component being an English/writing course created for cohort two. This course was designed after examining data from the results of cohort one and resulted from a collaborative decision by program designers from various STEM disciplines realizing the need for students to develop critical thinking skills along with the ability to share that information with others.