Evaluative research study of a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) honors program

This research includes a comprehensive evaluation of a full scholarship program at Norfolk State University (NSU), which serves principally African American students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. African Americans are currently underrepresented in STEM areas. The emphasis of this program, which was initiated in 1985, was developed to encourage African American students to pursue graduate degrees in STEM fields. The demonstrated success of this program seems to indicate that both current and former scholarships recipients have enjoyed considerably higher graduation rates as well as the ability to earn graduate and professional degrees at much higher rates than their peers. Factors that have contributed to this apparent success are discussed and strategies are documented in order that this program can be replicated for other students at NSU as well as at other universities.