Understanding and Supporting the Whole Student: An NSF S-STEM-NET Hub

Understanding and Supporting the Whole Student: A National Science Foundation S-STEM HUB, led by Education Northwest, is addressing key research questions to better understand how postsecondary institutions, need-based financial aid, and publicly funded public benefits programs support low-income STEM students in Washington. S-STEM Hub partners are working to link individual-record data from the Education Research & Data Center (ERDC)—home to a statewide longitudinal data system including data from early learning, K-12, postsecondary, and workforce sectors—and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)—the state agency that delivers a variety of social services and public benefits programs. Research will examine how programs that are designed to address low-income students’ basic needs support their access to and success in STEM pathways in college. The Hub is also collaborating with the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) on their Postsecondary Benefits Promotion Pilot program and will partner with Washington community and technical colleges on a study to understand how providing students with more information on available basic needs services and social and health services affects their use of those services and retention in STEM programs. We will test if informing students about available services can help them overcome work, family, and financial pressures, succeed in college, and ultimately secure well-paying STEM careers.