Research Summary: Greater than the sum: programs to support the whole student in STEM during and after college

A longitudinal study of the "Focusing on Cultivating Scientists" (FOCUS) program at Carleton College reveals insights into supporting students from historically excluded backgrounds in STEM. The program, which employs a "whole student" framework across three pillars (drive to succeed, support for learning, sense of belonging), has demonstrated significant positive impacts on student persistence, despite participants facing greater obstacles than their peers. The study's findings, based on a decade of data, highlight both successes and areas for program enhancement.

Why it matters

Addressing broadening participation in STEM remains a critical challenge for higher education institutions globally. This study offers empirical evidence on the effectiveness of a comprehensive, cohort-based support program for students from historically excluded backgrounds, providing valuable insights for designing and evaluating initiatives aimed at enhancing student success and equity within STEM fields.

Key insights

• The FOCUS program is a curriculum-based cohort initiative designed to support students from historically excluded backgrounds in STEM.
• It utilizes a "whole student" pedagogical framework structured around three pillars: drive to succeed, support for learning, and a sense of belonging.
• Longitudinal evaluation data, including surveys, interviews, and student records over a decade, informed the study.
• The program has shown significant positive impacts on student persistence in STEM.
• FOCUS students enter college with high STEM interest but encounter significantly more obstacles than their non-FOCUS peers.
• The evaluation identified both areas of success and opportunities for program improvement.

Source

Frontiers in Education — https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2026.1816063