I invite you to read the digital issue of our alumni magazine with its expanded content. One of our highest priorities in the College of Science is creating a culture of inclusive excellence.
In this issue, you will read of ambitious programs the College supports to these ends. For example, the College of Science played a leading role in developing the university-wide Beaver Connect mentoring program (formerly known as the Faculty-Student Mentor Program) – one of several initiatives that helped improve outcomes for underrepresented, Pell-eligible and first-generation students.
The College also pioneered Oregon State's Learning Assistants (LA) Program, which transformed learning in large classrooms, by placing upperclassmen into introductory courses to employ peer-to-peer learning. Originating in Integrative Biology, the LA Program has spread to other STEM courses at OSU.
Our Science Success Center also runs the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience program and the Science Professional Pursuits Program – two programs that enable students to lay the groundwork for their professional future.
These and other initiatives have helped improve OSU's graduation rate by 2.8% over the past four years. That means about 100 more students are graduating every year. If progress continues in this direction, we can achieve our goal of 70% graduation. I am deeply committed to this goal, and strengthening inclusive excellence, and the College of Science will play a key role.
Roy Haggerty
Dean, College of Science