Work-Study that meets financial needs in a way that boosts community and academic achievement

 

Students should be encouraged to conduct STEM-related research with faculty members (Perna et al., 2009). Due to challenges resulting from students' financial difficulties for degree attainment in STEM fields, institutions should take a greater role in boosting student success by effectively dealing with financial needs in a way that boosts community and academic achievement (Perna et al., 2009). There are "benefits of adopting a multi-faceted institutional approach that promotes students' academic and psychological readiness to pursue advanced degrees and careers in STEM fields" (Perna et al., 2009, p. 16). 

"Supportive, cooperative peer relationships promote academic achievement" (Perna et al., 2009, p. 16). Cooperative rather than competitive peer culture, encouraging students to participate in planned activities that strengthen the concept of bonds among students and a faculty that encourages study groups and competition that push one to succeed. They see their friends succeeding while seeing others doing research encourages others to participate in research, which leads to a supportive, cooperative, goal-congruent environment (Perna et al., 2009).

Carver et al. (2017) and Perna and colleagues (2009) have seen success in the use of paid peer tutors to assist as well. Perna et al. (2009) state that at Spellman, the faculty nominate high-achieving students who sit in on a class and have office hours for these paid tutor positions (Perna et al., 2009).