Student Success and Transfer Articulation through Research and Support Services (STARS) Grant

Funded by the Department of Education, the Student Success and Transfer Articulation through Research and Support Services (STARS) project at Cal Poly Pomona (CPP) aims to increase the institutional capacity of CPP, Citrus College, and Mount San Antonio College to engage low-income students in STEM disciplines through undergraduate research and related wrap-around services.

The goal of this program is to ensure exposure to undergraduate research early and throughout the student’s university and college career with support services that ensure students develop a sense of STEM self-efficacy, receive timely information, receive proactive advising and mentoring, and foster students’ sense of belonging to both higher education and the STEM community.

Below are the different components that make up the STARS grant, including the student research program, the postdoctoral program, and the community college transfer pathways.

Three females students working in a lab.

STARS Research Program

The STARS Research Program provides eligible STEM students from CPP, Mt. SAC, and Citrus College with the opportunity to participate in undergraduate research, faculty mentorship, workshops, advising, and career development opportunities.

PLUTO

The Postdoctoral Leadership of Underrepresented minorities for Teacher-scholar Occupations (PLUTO) program aims to recruit STEM Ph.D mentors and supporting postdocs in managing leadership roles to increase institutional engagement of underrepresented students in STEM disciplines.

Transfer Pathways

Through Transfer Pathways, Cal Poly Pomona will award an admissions advantage to Citrus and Mt. SAC transfer applicants who complete designated course sequences at their community college.