CSU-SPaRA Program

Program Objectives

CSU-SPaRA has three overall program objectives: (1) academic integration, (2) professionalization, and (3) social integration:

Objective 1: STEM Excellence – Support students at critical transition points in their STEM education (e.g., entering as first-year students, transferring from community college, declaring a major in a STEM discipline) and in STEM “gatekeeper” courses with the goal of improving student performance and persistence in STEM.
Objective 2: Pathways to STEM Careers – Support students in professionalization and disciplinary socialization by providing opportunities in research, internships, international activities, conferences, leadership roles, professional development, and graduate school preparation activities with the goal of increasing the number of students entering graduate programs and professional careers in STEM.
Objective 3: STEM Identity – Support student experiences that are important for socialization into STEM culture and careers with activities that build a community within STEM disciplines.

CSU SPaRA Activities by Objective
Objective 1: STEM Excellence	Objective 2: Pathways to STEM Careers	Objective 3: STEM Identity
Material Support & STEM Textbooks	CSU-SPaRA Supported Research Opportunities	CSU SPaRA Advising
Academic Support Activities (Supplemental Instruction, Academic Excellence Workshops, Peer Mentoring, Tutoring)	Other Research Opportunities	Communications
Transition Support Activities (Orientation for First-years and/or Transfers, STEM Bridge Programs)	Internships	Attendance at Conferences (Not Presenting)
	International Research Activities	Student Cohesion Activities (Clubs, Meetings)
	Presentation/publication of Research
	Graduate School Preparation Activities (Application Assistance, Workshops)
	Professional Development (Workshops, Seminars)
	Leadership (Facilitators, Mentors, Trainers, Officers)