Presentation Transcript

1. CSU STEM VISTA

   Building Institutional Capacity for a Stronger Baccalaureate RFP Available at: www.calstate.edu/cce/stem/initiatives/vista

2. CSU’s Vision for STEM Student Success

   Building Institutional Capacity for a Stronger Baccalaureate
3. CSU URM STEM Student Success At-A-Glance
4. CSU STEM Student Success Vision Developed as part of the PKAL-Keck STEM Education Framework Project Our diverse pool of STEM graduates, with their unique qualifications and talent, is prepared to successfully meet the challenges and opportunities of our global society.
5. Support and reward implementation of effective High Impact Practices (HIPs) that work best for our students, particularly traditionally under-represented students (referred as the “low-hanging fruit” in the graph) Create stronger connections among campus and systemwide programs to increase sharing and efficiency for the benefit of STEM students and faculty Enhance the K-16 STEM pipeline by improved articulation of practices and curriculum Engender STEM graduates and faculty that reflect California’s demography How does can the CSU STEM VISTA Program help achieve this?
6. What is VISTA? (Volunteers in Service to America)
7. 1965 “To help provide urgently needed services in urban and rural poverty areas.” –John F. Kennedy “Your pay will be low; the conditions of your labor often will be difficult. But you will have the satisfaction of leading a great national effort and you will have the ultimate reward which comes to those who serve their fellow man.” –Lyndon B. Johnson 1963 War on Poverty
8. VISTA Fast Facts: serve one year live and serve in some of the poorest urban and rural areas have passion and commitment create or expand programs Ultimate goal: poverty alleviation What is VISTA?
9. Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) Department/College California State University Eligibility Requirements
10. What is the CSU STEM VISTA Program?
11. What is the CSU STEM VISTA Program? 3- year grant 1- year grant Program Goal Link education and community engagement to help alleviate poverty in two areas: support CSU STEM student success support K-12 student success in STEM
12. What is the CSU STEM VISTA Program? Eligible CSU STEM departments and Colleges submit a proposal to host a VISTA for one year July 14, 2014 - July 15, 2015. Multi-year grants will NOT be awarded Being awarded a VISTA position in year 1 does not guarantee a position in subsequent years VISTA proposals should include a realistic scope of work that can be achieved in one year Things to Consider: How the VISTA member can fit into your overall vision for STEM student success? If you have an interest in hosting a VISTA in subsequent years, what would your long term-plan look like?
13. How are the Four Core Principles of AmeriCorps*VISTA Connected to the CSU STEM VISTA Program? Four Key Principles
14. Anti-Poverty Focus CSU STEM VISTA program focuses on alleviating poverty by linking education and community engagement. Example: A STEM department may choose to increase CSU STEM student success among traditionally under-represented student populations by working with a nonprofit, school or other community-based organization or volunteer group. Traditionally under-represented student populations: students from low-socio-economic backgrounds, females, students of color, and first generation students
15. Community Empowerment VISTA proposals should involve community members in planning, developing, and implementing the VISTA project allowing low-income individuals to speak for themselves in determining the project that best suit their needs. Strong applications will define who/what represents their community and why that community was selected. It is important that the defined community be involved in the CSU STEM VISTA Program as an equal partner. Community: CSU STEM student populations, the external community (nonprofit agencies, industry partners, schools, youth agencies or programs, government agencies), faculty, staff, alumni.
16. Capacity Building VISTA expands the ability of organizations to fight poverty by: building infrastructure expanding community partnerships securing long-term resources coordinating training for participants and more! Sustainable Solutions VISTAs serve as a short-term resource to help sponsor organizations achieve lasting solutions to poverty.
17. How are the core principles linked to what vistas can do?
18. How are the core principles linked to what VISTAs can do? Similar goals: Increase graduation rates Increase retention Increase the number of students entering STEM degree programs Increase the number of students entering the STEM workforce
19. VISTA Activities: Fundamentals Direct Service Indirect Service Direct Service Activities: Serve as a Tutor Indirect Service Activities: Establish a tutoring program
20. VISTA Activities: Linking back to the four core principles
21. If awarded, what are the host department/college requirements?
22. Host Site Requirements:
23. Day-to-day supervision and support Regularly scheduled meetings Serve as the point of contact with the VISTA Program Manager in the CO Participate in 3 trainings (in-person and virtual) Accommodate at least one site visit Conduct mid- and end-of-year progress check-ins and professional development reviews with the VISTA (Templates will be provided) Identify a Supervisor
24. VISTA members will track and report quarterly to the CCE via an online reporting tool A sample of the report will be distributed at the start of the VISTA member’s year of service Strong applications will describe how their department plans to support the VISTA in collecting qualitative and quantitative data Examples: “the department will work closely with Institutional Research Office to analyze the breakdown of graduation rates within the STEM department.” “the VISTA will create an excel spreadsheet, or use an existing database, to track volunteers, volunteer hours,” etc.” Support VISTAs with quarterly reports to the CCE
25. Must provide the list of required items in the RFP: Comfortable space with all the necessary office supplies Conduct a community and campus orientation CCE will provide guidance and support in the development of this orientation Travel budget It is encouraged that departments help in identifying additional resources, such as: Assistance in securing housing (on-campus housing or off) Housing allowance Meal plan Subway/bus pass Parking permit Assistance accessing resources locally Provide Support
26. Vista recruitment and selection
27. AmeriCorps National AmeriCorps Portal CSU Campuses Host departments/Colleges Service learning/community engagement centers STEM affinity groups Career centers STEM student organizations The Chancellor’s Office Center for Community Engagement How VISTAs are recruited:
28. Recruitment Timeline:
29. CCE will ask departments/Colleges if they think they will recruit someone locally or are planning on utilizing the national recruitment candidate pool Departments/Colleges can chose to facilitate their own recruitment and selection process But it must meet CCE’s recruitment schedule, applicants must be forwarded to CCE by end of March 2014 Host Department/College’s Role in Recruitment
30. National Recruit Local Recruit Benefits: Familiar with the community Existing support groups Knowledgeable about local resources (housing, transportation, etc.) Challenges: May have pre-existing ideas/beliefs about community More likely to end service year early; see their year as volunteering/helping out Benefits: Fresh perspective See their year as “national service” More likely to complete their year of service Challenges: Not familiar with community No local support group Unaware of local resources (housing, transportation, etc.) Motivations: the work or the location? Hosting Benefits and Challenges
31. All candidates, whether identified through the host department/College or through the CCE’s national recruitment, must submit application materials and references via the AmeriCorps online application system and submit the CCE’s application materials CCE MAKES ALL FINAL DECISIONS ABOUT CANDIDATE SELECTION AND PLACEMENT
32. What benefits do vistas receive?
33. Modest monthly living stipend Paid for by CCE’s CNCS grant and set at 110% of the local poverty level Relocation allowance (only members moving 50+ miles) Health coverage Childcare assistance (if eligible) Loan deferment/forbearance (if eligible) Upon completion of service, choice of: Segal Education Award ($5,500 scholarship) OR End-of-Service Stipend ($1,500 cash) VISTA Member Benefits
34. Numerous Professional Development and Training Opportunities Pre-Service Orientation (PSO): Facilitated by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to hone and develop skill sets that will prepare them for life as a VISTA On-Site Orientation and Training: Facilitated by the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) at the CSU Chancellor’s Office will be project and site specific and based on the goals of the CSU STEM VISTA program Ongoing Professional Development and Training: Facilitated by CCE and outside presenters, topics determined by VISTA members’ interests (VISTA members also have access to VISTAcampus.org that offers online tools and courses) VISTA Member Benefits
35. Application suggestions
36. Title of VISTA Position VISTA Goals and Expectations: Describe the overall goals and expectations of the VISTA position VISTA Activities: 5-10 examples activities that will help achieve the proposal’s goals Qualifications: Briefly list qualifications you feel are necessary for the VISTA to be successful VISTA Job Description
37. Year-at-a-Glance How can you make it the best? Help identify additional resources Consider how you can make transitions smooth Develop a feasible and exciting assignment plan 1 year 12 months 52 weeks 365 days 8,760 hours 525,600 minutes 31,536,000 seconds A year in someone’s life
38. Proposal submission process
39. Ask about: AmeriCorps*VISTA CSU STEM VISTA Program Proposal submission process Proposal development And more Sign-up for a session at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/F8LGRM5 Continue to check www.calstate.edu/stem/initiatives/vista for updated FAQs Proposal Assistance Sessions
40. Important Proposal Dates
41. Questions? Contact: Kristina Barger, VISTA Program Manager kbarger@calstate.edu 562-951-4275 Thank you!