HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (HBCU)

HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (HBCU)
MASTER’S DEGREE STEM PROGRAM
Proposal 2014-2015

(P382G090012-14 Year 6 of 2009-2015 Grant Cycle)
NARRATIVE:

The HBCU Master’s degree program will strengthen and improve graduate
education at Fayetteville State University by providing financial assistance, academic and
non-academic assistance and support to African American and low income students in
STEM disciplines to increase their enrollment, persistence, progression and graduation;
providing research and development opportunities for both faculty and students in STEM
disciplines; and maintaining a support office to ensure program implementation and the
achievement of the aforementioned goals and objectives. FSU’s program is specifically
designed to accomplish the following objectives:

1. Increase the number of African American and low income students who earn
degrees in STEM by providing scholarships and stipends; and to provide
opportunities for students to engage in research and internships in their respective
degree programs.

2. Improve the preparation of public school teachers in the STEM disciplines by
offering opportunities for graduate education.

3. Attract, retain and support graduate faculty members by providing support for
research, publications, and professional development opportunities and activities.

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4. Provide academic and non-academic support, professional development, career
development, and counseling resources to assist students to achieve success in
STEM disciplines.

Despite the discontinuation of the Master’s Degree Programs in biology and
mathematics, the overarching goals and plans remain the same as do the objectives of the
grant. In addition to student support, the grant will provide support primarily to programs
and faculty in the MAT and M.Ed. programs with concentrations in biology, science, and
mathematics. All activities from 2013-2014 will continue to be implemented in 2014-
2015 as approved.

NEED FOR FUNDING:
Program objectives include improving the preparation of public school teachers in

the STEM disciplines by offering opportunities for graduate education; providing
professional development opportunities for faculty; providing opportunities for students
to engage in research; and increasing the number of African Americans and low income
students who earn degrees in STEM programs. The current and new activities will help
us respond to the shortage of math and science teachers, strengthen our current STEM
programs, provide professional development and research opportunities for faculty and
students, and increase the number of African American and low income graduate students
in STEM disciplines at FSU. The University continues to experience severe budget
reductions. Without this grant, students and faculty would not receive the research and
professional development support outlined above. Many prospective students are
prevented from pursuing a graduate degree because of their limited financial resources.

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Without scholarships provided through this grant, these individuals would not be able to
pursue graduate degrees. Additionally, any graduate students require both academic and
non-academic support and counseling to help them achieve success in the STEM
disciplines.

Most faculty members have heavy teaching responsibilities; the grant provides
research mini-grants, travel grants, research and laboratory supplies, and other resources
to support faculty research productivity both independently and with students, instruction,
and professional development. This grant supports our efforts to attract and retain quality
faculty who contribute to the success of our students.

MAJOR ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES:
These activities will assist the University in meeting the shortage of public school

teachers in STEM disciplines, increase the number of African American and low income
students in enrolled STEM graduate disciplines and strengthen and update graduate
programs in education with concentrations in STEM at FSU. Fayetteville State currently
offers the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree with concentrations in biology and
mathematics and the Master of Education degree with concentrations in biology,
mathematics, and middle grade mathematics. Our anticipated outcomes include an
increase in student and faculty research, placement and advancement of public school
teachers, employment in STEM-related disciplines, graduation within a timely manner,
and number of students pursuing doctoral and professional degrees in STEM-related
disciplines.

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RELATIONSHIP TO UNIVERSITY’S STRATEGIC PRIORITES:
One of Fayetteville State University’s strategic priorities is to increase retention

and graduation rates and be a university of choice for students in North Carolina and the
nation through innovation and excellence in teaching; a highly qualified faculty and staff;
enhanced degree programs in teacher education, science, technology, business,
humanities, and the social sciences; improved student services; and excellent facilities
and advanced technology. These activities address this strategic priority.

MAJOR GRANT PERIOD ACCOMPLISHMENTS, TO DATE:

The grant is enabling institutional improvements not formerly available. With the
funding the graduate school has been able to focus on areas of student need, support for
faculty to conduct research and improve their teaching.
Funding has supported workshops geared towards helping students persist and progress
through their programs with less difficulty. Writing workshops, publication workshops,
portfolio development, student research conferences, and a summer statistics and research
methodology institute are some of the major activities that have been achieved by the
grant. Faculty and students have been supported to participate in workshops and
conferences directly related to their areas of research, and mini grants have helped faculty
further their research interests while involving graduate students in their research. This
has provided applied experiences for students.

The mere fact that the graduate school can offer scheduled meetings, mentoring
and advisement through a staff dedicated to graduate student success is support that was
not previously available for students studying at the graduate level in STEM programs at

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the university. Providing scholarships to graduate students has helped the institution to
attract and retain students to programs they were not formerly able to afford. All students
in the Program are in good academic standing and are on track to graduate in a timely
manner. All students attend at least one research or professional conference each year,
and at least 50% of the students give either a poster or oral presentation of their research
at a conference each year. All students also participate in the summer statistics and
research methodology institute which expands upon what they learn in their courses and
provides them with support in designing their research projects. The Program purchased a
poster printer for research posters and provides opportunities for students to have trial
presentation sessions prior to their conference presentations. Additionally, the Program
continues to implement a laptop and calculator loaner program for students who are
unable to purchase them items for use in their classes and research; the

Eleven public school teachers have received direct support through this grant; and
additional two students are pursuing their degrees to become public school teachers all in
STEM subject areas. Three of our scholarship recipients currently are in doctoral
programs; four additional students are applying for admission for next academic year.

Forty-eight (48) research mini-grants and 23 travel grants have been awarded to
faculty. This support enables faculty conduct research, present their findings at
conference and receive feedback that helps them in preparing their manuscripts for
publication. This activities support our efforts to retain quality faculty and faculty
members’ pursuit of reappointment, tenure, and promotion. Faculty have involved
students in their research and provided them with mentoring and supervision.

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KEY PERSONNEL NEEDED TO ACCOMPLISH PROGRAMMATIC
OUTCOMES:
Graduate STEM Program Graduate Advisor
Graduate STEM Administrative Support Assistant
STEM Program Activity Director

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ACTIVITY OBJECTIVES AND ANTICIPATED RESULTS

1. Name of Applicant Institution: 2. Activity Title:
FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY HBCU MASTER’S PROGRAM
Objective 1 Anticipated results:
Increase the number of African Americans and low income
students who earn degrees in STEM and related programs by All scholarship recipients will progress in their programs in good
providing scholarships to at least two (3) new students each year academic standing and be on track to graduate and will graduate
and by providing stipends and opportunities for students to in a timely manner. At least 6 students will participate in
engage in research and internships. research or an internship.
Objective 2 Anticipated results:
Improve the preparation of public school teachers in the STEM At least one public school teacher or student preparing to become
disciplines by offering opportunities for graduate education each a public school teacher will receive a scholarship to pursue the
year to at least one (1) new current public school teacher or graduate degree in a STEM discipline, thus responding to the
student pursuing an education degree to become a teacher. shortage of STEM teachers in public schools.

Objective 3 Anticipated results:
Attract, retain, and support graduate faculty by providing support Five faculty will receive travel grants and a 8 faculty will receive
for research, publications, and professional development research mini-grants and will work with students on research,
opportunities and activities to 8 faculty each year. A maximum 5 prepare manuscripts for publication, and engage in professional
faculty travel grants will be awarded. development activities, thus contributing to their pursuit of
reappointment, tenure, and promotion.
Objective 4
Provide academic and non-academic support, professional Anticipated results:
development, career development, and counseling resources to Students will participate in monthly programs and seminars,
assist students to achieve success in STEM disciplines meeting with their mentors and academic advisors, develop career
portfolios, participate in networking activities, and meet with
Program advisor. All scholarship recipients will attend at least
one conference/ participate in at least one professional
development activity each year.

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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY/TIMETABLE FORM

1. Name of Applicant Institution: 2. Activity Title:

FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT SUPPORT

3. Specific Tasks To Be 4. Primary 5. Methodologies Involved 6. Tangible Results 7. Timeline(s)

Completed Participants From To

Award scholarships to at Graduate advisor will solicit 3 new scholarships (a August October

least three (3) new STEM Program Director scholarship applications through total of 16) will be 2014 2015

students, bringing the total Graduate Advisor faculty, undergraduate STEM awarded for the

of scholarships awarded for Administrative programs and departments. She academic year. All

the academic year to a Assistant will then review applications and students will be in

minimum of 16. make recommendations to good academic

Program Director. standing with a

Students will be notified of their minimum grade point

award status by letter, which the average of 3.0 and

administrative assistant will will be on track to

prepare. Students will sign a graduate.

memorandum of understanding

outlining program requirements.

Students will attend Program Director Graduate advisor will share Minimum of 16 August September

conferences. Graduate Advisor conference information with students will attend at 2014 2015

Administrative students and solicit from them least one conference

Assistant conferences they are interested during the year, and a

in attending and participating minimum of 8 will

their research. Administrative present their

assistant will make travel research. Students

arrangements. will submit a report

on summarizing

impact of their

conference

attendance.

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Offer programs (e.g., 5 Institute and Workshops will be 1 Statistics and Septemb September
Statistics and Research Instructors/Facilitators announced via email, program Research er 2014 2015
Methodology Institute; Program Director coordinators, graduate advisor, Methodology
APA Writing Workshop; Graduate Advisor posters, daily announcements, Institute, 2 APA October October
Writing Personal campus tv monitors. Writing Workshops, 2014 2015
Statements) to supplement 5-10 faculty and 1 Writing for
course offering and Program Director Faculty will identify students to Publication August October
enhance graduate school Graduate Advisor mentor and include in their Workshop will be 2014 2015
experience to at least 30 research projects. offered to a minimum
students. Graduate advisor will assist of 30 students.
scholarship recipients in A minimum of 6
Provide at least 6 students identifying prospective faculty scholarship recipients
with research experience with whom to work with on will work with
research. faculty on research.
Provide monthly Graduate Advisor Graduate advisor will survey
professional development 4-5 consultants scholarship recipients to All scholarship
seminars and workshops to determine topics of interest for recipients will
scholarship recipients. monthly seminars and participate in
workshops. Graduate counselor monthly workshops
will develop schedule of topics and seminars. Each
and invite consultants as needed. semester, all
Graduate advisor will develop scholarship recipients
and facilitate seminars. will write a brief
report on how the
monthly meetings
have impacted them.

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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY/TIMETABLE FORM

1. Name of Applicant Institution: 2. Activity Title:

FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY FACULTY DEVELOPMENT

3. Specific Tasks To Be 4. Primary Participants 5. Methodologies 6. Tangible Results 7. Timeline(s)

Completed Involved From To

Eight (8) faculty research Program Director Call for proposals will be Eight faculty September October
mini-grants Research Funding announced via email to research mini-grants
Advisory Council academic departments and will be awarded. 2014 2015
Administrative Assistant faculty and will be posted Research reports
on Program website. will be submitted to
Award a minimum of 5 Program Director Research Funding Program Director September October
Advisory Council will and posted in
faculty travel grants to attend Administrative Assistant review proposals and Digital Commons. 2014 2015
recommend those to be Faculty will present
conferences awarded to the Program results of their
Director. studies at
Awardees will be notified conferences and
via letter with detailed submit manuscripts
guidelines. for publications.
Faculty will submit
interim and final reports. Faculty will submit
report of their trip
Travel grant applications and their plans for
will be posted on Program using sharing/using
website. Applications will information and
be reviewed by Program resources form
Director and awards will conference.
be determined and make.
Administrative Assistant
will make travel
arrangements.

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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY/TIMETABLE FORM

1. Name of Applicant Institution: 2. Activity Title:

FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

3. Specific Tasks To Be 4. Primary Participants 5. Methodologies Involved 6. Tangible 7. Timeline(s)

Completed Results From To

Conduct surveys of all Program Director Conduct satisfaction survey of all Feedback will be September October

services provided Graduate Advisor services provided. Conduct used to improve 2014 2015

needs assessments to assist in services and to

planning services. plan new services

Conduct external program Program Director Title III office will arrange and Formative and September October

evaluations External consultants supervise external consulting summative 2014 2015

agency used for Title III evaluations will
programs and HBCU Master’s be conducted and

Program. results will be

used for program

improvement

Select scholarship Program Director Graduate advisor will solicit Minimum of 2 August October
2014 2015
recipients Graduate Advisor scholarship applications through new scholarships

Administrative Assistant faculty, undergraduate STEM (total of 15) will

programs and departments. She be awarded for

will then review applications and the academic

make recommendations to year.

Program Director.

Students will be notified of their

award status by letter, which the

administrative assistant will

prepare. Students will sign a

memorandum of understanding

outlining program requirements.

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Select faculty for research Program Director Call for proposals will be Eight faculty September October
mini-grants Research Funding announced via email to academic research mini-
Advisory Council departments. grants will be 2014 2015
Revise program as needed Administrative Assistant Research Funding Advisory awarded.
based upon program Council will review proposals
outcomes, student Program Director and recommend those to be
feedback, and Graduate Advisor awarded to the Program Director.
recommendations for Administrative Assistant Awardees will be notified via
external evaluators letter with detailed guidelines.
Faculty will submit interim and
final reports.

September October

2014 2015

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SECTION A – INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY BUDGET

1. Name of Institution: FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY 2014-2015

2. Activity Title: HBCU Masters-STEM 3. Activity Number:

4. Roster of Personnel and Salaries

a. List of personnel (use position titles) b. Salary amount for each position

1. Graduate STEM Program 47,500
Graduate Counselor 31,327
36,000
2. Graduate STEM Admin
Support Assistant

3. STEM Program Activity
Director (100% for 3 months)

4. Fringe Benefits 36,222
151,049
Total for Compensation for Personnel
8 Equipment 0
9. Supplies 5,000
10. Contractual 10,000
11. Construction/Renovation
12. Other 0
13. Training Stipends
297,951
 Faculty research mini-grants 20,000
 Faculty Travel Grants
 Student and Staff Travel 5,000
 Student Scholarships 17,951
 Statistics and Research 160,000
15,000
Methodology Institute
Instructors 80,000
 Statistics and Research
Methodology Institute Student $464,000
Stipends
Total

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SECTION B – INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY BUDGET NARRATIVE

1. Name Of Institution: FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY 2014-2015

2. Activity Title: HBCU Masters-STEM 3. Activity Number:

4. Provide Narrative

Personnel $114,827

1. Graduate STEM Program Graduate Advisor 47,500
2. Graduate STEM Administrative Support Assistant 31,327
3. STEM Program Activity Director (100% for 3 months) 36,000

Fringe Benefits 36,222
Social Security 16,868
Medical Insurance 10,570

Supplies 5,000

Office supplies including books, handbooks, handouts, and related materials will be

purchased for use in workshops (e.g., APA writing, thesis development, resume/CV

development, etc.).

Contractual 10,000

External formative and summative evaluations. The grant program will be evaluated once

each semester by external evaluators.

Faculty research mini-grants (8 @ $2,500) 20,000

These mini-grants are designed to support faculty research that will enhance teaching and

strengthen programs. Each mini-grant recipient will include at least one student in his/her

research project.

Faculty Travel Grants 5@$1,000 5,000

These grants will support faculty to attend conferences. Faculty will commit to sharing

information and resources with students and other faculty.

Travel (Students and Staff) 17,951

Opportunities for students to attend conferences, seminars, and workshops will be supported.

Students will be encouraged and supported to present papers at conferences. Examples of

conferences include Toxicology Conference, Annual Biomedical Research Conference for

Minority Students, Helping Mathematics Teachers Become Culturally Relevant Educators,

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, STD Prevention Conference, and CDC

sponsored meetings. Expected cost per person is approximately $1,500 which includes

travel, lodging, and registration.

Student Scholarships/Stipends 160,000

Sixteen (16) students will receive $5,000 scholarships each semester and a $5,000 stipend for

participating in the statistics and research methodology institute. Students can be awarded

scholarships only if they are enrolled for courses. Stipends will enable students to participate

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in research projects and gain valuable experiences designed to assist them in persisting in
their programs and graduating in a timely manner. Students will be required to enroll in a
minimum of six (6) semester hours each semester. Additionally, they will be required to
attend monthly program meetings and workshops, have regular individual meetings with the
graduate advisor, and meet with their research advisors and mentors each month.

Summer Statistics and Research Methodology Institute Instructors 15,000

Three (3) instructors for statistical analysis, research design and methodology, and computer

usage will be paid $5,000 each. The Institute will be taught by professors in statistics,

research methodology, and computer science.

Summer Statistics and Research Methodology Institute Student Stipends 80,000
Students will participate in a 6-week institute. The Institute will focus on research design
and methodology, data analysis, and using computer programs for analysis. The Institute will
be especially beneficial to students completing a thesis. Participants in the Institute will
receive a stipend. Sixteen (16) students each will receive a $5,000 stipend.

The conference will provide opportunities for students to present their research via oral and
posters presentations and to learn about research conducted by other students.

Total $464,000

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