High-Impact Practices in a Successful Cohort Model for Underrepresented Computing and Engineering Students

Program Abstract: AAC&U has identified several “high-impact practices,” or HIPs, which enhance the experiences and outcomes of students who participate in them to a significant degree. The Center for Women in Technology (CWIT) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) employs several HIPs as components of the programming model utilized with its cohort-based scholars programs for undergraduate women, other underrepresented groups, and their allies in the College of Engineering & Information Technology. Through the use of these HIPs and other strategies, CWIT’s model has been shown to lead to significantly higher retention and graduation rates for students in the scholars programs than those of non-scholars of similar demographics and pre-college academic preparedness. In this session, we will provide an overview of the scholar model, show evidence of its effectiveness, describe our HIPs, and discuss how components of our model can be transferable to other institutions.