In a global society, a diverse workforce is imperative. The nutrition and dietetics workforce in the United States is 80% white and 92% female, indicating its lack of diversity. Higher education institutions can enhance efforts to diversify any workforce through inclusion of support programs. Students, particularly those who have been historically underrepresented, may need financial, academic, and social support as well as skill development and career-related experiences prior to entering the workforce. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) program provides support to diverse undergraduate nutrition/dietetic students through financial assistance, proactive advising, mentorship, skill development workshops, and other program activities. This study examined the impacts of the program on retention and cumulative grade point average (GPA) outcomes. Retention was calculated as the number of students retained from one year to the next excluding graduates. Changes in cumulative GPA were assessed for individual scholarship recipients during their time participating in the program. Analysis showed higher year-to-year retention of HRSA SDS scholarship recipients (77-95%) compared to non-scholarship nutrition students (67-75%).. Cumulative GPA increased for 47% of scholarship recipients, stayed the same for 39%, and decreased for 14% of students. This presentation will discuss components of support programs that enhance student success and retention using quantitative group and case study data and qualitative feedback from program participants. Globally, departments in higher education settings can implement support programs to enhance student retention, academic success, and workforce diversity.

Authors:
Ann Diker, Metropolitan State University of Denver, United States
Madison Roe, Metropolitan State University of Denver, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Ann Diker is a Professor of Nutrition at Metropolitan State University of Denver in Colorado, USA. Her research interests include supportive programming for underrepresented students and factors that contribute to student success.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-diker/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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