
ERIC Number: ED673056
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Jun-1
Pages: 24
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Summative Evaluation of the PPOHA Grant: Strengthening STEM Education of Latinx Students for Graduate Degree Completion
Jianjun Wang
Grantee Submission
California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) successfully completed a six-year initiative (including a no-cost extension in its final year) funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Promoting Post-Baccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA) program (Award No. P031M190029; $2.99 million). The project aimed to expand graduate capacity in STEM fields and strengthen academic pathways for Hispanic and low-income students. Key Achievements: (1) Enrollment Growth: Hispanic graduate full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment rose from 52% to 60.8% between 2019 and 2024; (2) Program Expansion: Over 60 workshops, 93 virtual graduate fairs, and 270 Grad Slam presentations were conducted; (3) Research Infrastructure: More than 30 faculty-student research teams were formed, supported by robust mentoring resources and campus-wide tracking systems; and (4) Institutional Integration: The project fostered cross-departmental networks, established strategic partnerships with UC Merced and Keck Graduate Institute, and launched a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) pathway. The evaluation employed a progressive theoretical framework (CIPP [right arrow] RBA [right arrow] PPCT [right arrow] Triple A) to assess outcomes systematically. Despite COVID-19 disruptions, strategic pivots to virtual delivery accelerated participation. Year 6 served as both capstone and catalyst, culminating in a Graduate Excellence Celebration Symposium. This report provides evidence-based recommendations for sustaining gains and informing future PPOHA initiatives across Hispanic-Serving Institutions.
Descriptors: Summative Evaluation, Program Evaluation, Educational Finance, Grants, STEM Education, Hispanic American Students, Graduate Students, State Universities, Enrollment, Educational Opportunities, Educational Quality, Minority Serving Institutions, Workshops, Graduate Study, Educational Objectives
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Department of Education (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: P031M190029
Department of Education Funded: Yes
Author Affiliations: N/A