Bay Path’s Academic Learners & Leaders Initiative Helps Students Increase Competence in STEM

It’s no surprise to hear that math is a pain point for many young women. According to a survey from Ogilvy PR in collaboration with STEM nonprofit Change the Equation, “women are significantly more likely than men to say that they are not good at math (37% vs. 21%).” Also, 43% of women surveyed were likely to agree with the statement that many times, they’ve found themselves saying they can’t do math, as compared to only 29% of men who felt that this was true.

These sentiments, as well as a growing gap for adequately educated and trained professionals needed to fill jobs in STEM-related fields sparked the development of Bay Path’s ALLI (Academic Learners & Leaders Initiative). Now in its third year, ALLI offers incoming first-year and transfer students a smoother transition into college by immersing them in math and science subject matter while mixing in skill-building in technology, academic readiness meetings with faculty and staff across campus, and social outings to forge those all-important early college friendships with classmates.

“Without ALLI, I would not have gotten into a higher math course or refreshed my memory on chemistry. It gave me a jump-start for my next four years here at Bay Path,” Christina Correa ’20, exploratory science major, said. “The program not only prepared me for my first courses and getting around the campus, it also took me out of my comfort zone. Although I’m a commuter and self-described introvert, I chose to stay in the dorms for the duration of program and am so glad I did—I made great friends.”

Other students echoed Correa’s satisfaction with their increased academic performances.

“The ALLI program helped me to be ready to face the challenges of the upcoming semester. Through a rigorous math curriculum, I was able to both raise my original scores from the placement test and be prepared for a college level math class. We had around-the-clock help with professional and peer tutors as well as in-class professors that were hands-on,” Leonora Torres ’20, majoring in marketing, said. 

This year’s cohort of 25 students saw an average improvement of 34 percent on the math assessment, and on the Accuplacer Elementary Algebra test, they averaged a 24-point increase. One student improved her Accuplacer score by 55 points, while another improved her math assessment score by 69 percent. 

The 2016 cohort marked the first group able to enroll in a chemistry-focused section of ALLI as well, and science students showed marked improvements in their academics as well. Four students showed enough competence on the chemistry and elementary algebra post-tests to be accepted into pre-calculus and general chemistry for the fall semester. The most successful student increased her chemistry test score by 56 percent.

Above all, students in the 2016 cohort felt overwhelmingly that through ALLI, they developed a true sense of belonging and community at Bay Path.

“The academic aspect of the ALLI program was exactly what I needed so that the fall semester did not hit me at full speed,” Victoria Thomas ’20, a medical science student, said. “I must admit, though, that the thing I treasure most from ALLI is the relationships that I was able to form. Through ALLI, I met individuals from various parts of the world, all with different cultural beliefs and morals, and the program brought us together as friends and classmates, able to not only accept our differences, but build the strongest of bonds,” Thomas said. 

“The 2016 cohort developed a strong sense of community that carried into the fall semester. Having an established peer group and social support heading into the first semester is one of the most beneficial aspects of ALLI. Across the board, students feel more confident with their academic skills and their ability to be successful in college,” said Jemi Kuberski, Director of Student Academic Support Services and program director for ALLI.

ALLI is made possible by generous contributions from the US Department of Education, the Charles H. Hall Foundation, and individual donors.