NSM Faculty/Staff Newsletter

From the Office of the Dean

Student Success & Undergraduate Affairs Update

Fall 2025 Course Demand and Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) Check-In

  • As registration continues for Fall 2025, NSM leadership is monitoring new student enrollment trends and course demand.
  • FTIC Enrollment: Applications are up, but orientation yields are lower than expected. Growth is projected to remain flat or reach up to 3% over last year. Adjustments to the scholarship profile aim to boost enrollment. Waitlists now total 400 students across majors—decisions are forthcoming to accommodate these students ahead of orientation.
  • Transfer Students: Enrollment is anticipated to be flat or slightly down. Strategic adjustments to the Transfer Excellence Scholarships are being made to help meet targets.
  • High-Demand Courses: Biology and Computer Science are expected to require expanded seat capacity.
  • Additional Enrollment Factors: Economic conditions, UT/TAMU admission caps, Pell Grant changes, and tuition rates for undocumented students are all influencing enrollment outcomes.

Academic and Programmatic Updates

  • Honors Thesis Updates: Changes include updates to the reader list and committee requirements, and the process is no longer managed by Sharonda Glass. Website updates are in progress.
  • Academic Honesty Tracking: NSM-IT is modeling a tracking system based on scholarship and other existing systems.
  • Embedded Programs:
    • Math: Embedded tutor program launched in Calculus I labs with hiring supported by SEP.
    • CAPS: Embedded CAPS counselor space tour occurred this week.
  • Advising and Admissions Collaboration: OFYP is coordinating with Admissions on processes for large-scale recruitment and admissions events.
  • Scholarship Processing: A decision on scholarship distribution is expected next week.

Grants and Proposals

  • Postponed Submission: Beckman Scholarship Program submission delayed due to data availability; planning underway to collect necessary data for future submission.
  • Internship Data Collection: 721 students completed the Spring 2025 graduation survey. HireNSM survey function may be leveraged moving forward.
  • ALL RISE RET: Launched on Monday.
  • NSF IUSE Proposals: Two in preparation for Physics course improvements and engineering summer bridge expansion (deadline July 15).
  • MRSEC Proposal: Education section in development; preproposal deadline is June 23.
  • Bauer Lab: Open to collaboration opportunities for MRSEC.

Accessibility and Instructional Support

  • Zone B ADA Parking Closure: Concerns shared with Kyle regarding ADA space reductions; alternatives being evaluated.
  • Instructional Resources: Dart Center released new videos (e.g., Simple Syllabus setup).
  • Strategic Planning: Units are asked to submit 2025–2026 plans for improving accessibility.
  • EOS Road Show: Offers digital accessibility training for faculty/staff—available for departments and new faculty.
  • Accessibility Agreements: New understanding forms now available for students, faculty, and coordinators.
  • Simple Syllabus Workshops: Held in May.
  • Catalog: 2025–2026 undergraduate catalog published; two weeks remain to finalize changes.

Scholar Enrichment Program (SEP)

  • Fall Workshop Enrollment: Currently 730 students.
  • Hiring: Reviewing applications for facilitators, mentors, and tutors; embedded tutor hiring in progress for Math and “Succeeding in STEM” course.

Special Programs and Assessment

  • TC Energy Summer Scholars Academy: Launched Monday with 54 students (6 students withdrawn due to TSI issues/family emergencies).
    • Recent Activity: Bowling event held with TC Energy interns and staff.

Career Center

  • Fall Career Fair (Sept. 16): Registration now open with a goal of 100 employers; 9 confirmed. A sponsor has joined. Cost: $675.
    • Employer outreach supported by Advisory Board and student directors.
    • Flyer to be distributed for email signatures.
  • Corporate Engagement:
    • ENGIE proposal: $50K ask across Bauer, Engineering, and NSM (NSM’s share: $25K).
    • Developing a 1-pager on Career Center engagement for employers.
  • Conference Presentation: Presenting on career center development at the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) conference.

Office of First Year Programs

  • SLATE Transition: Welcome and Next Steps emails will transition to SLATE and become automated.
  • Orientation Presentations: Ongoing college sessions.
  • Admissions Collaboration: Planning discussions around event logistics, session timing, and recruiting strategies.

Student Leadership Team (SLT)

  • Retreat Planning: Current efforts include onboarding and policy review for 2025–2026 cohort.

teachHOUSTON Updates

  • Grants and Proposals: teachHOUSTON received a $600K NSF RET Site grant with Engineering/Technology.
  • Research Participation: STEM RISExRESET terminations affected research participation. Four students remain in need of placements; appreciation expressed to PIs and donors for continued support.
  • Additional Activity:
    • Applied for Spencer Foundation emergency funds.
    • New Teacher Academy scheduled for June 22.
    • ACP recruiting emails sent to Spring graduates.
  • National UTech Conference (Reno):
    • Faculty and students presented research.
    • Jacqueline Ekeoba honored for service.
    • Student presentations included both oral and poster formats; one student won best poster.
  • Summer Camps: Officially launched on Monday.

UH STEM Center - Heather Domjan & Lionnel Ronduen

  • Summer Programming: Camps successfully kicked off.

Undergraduate Advising Center

  • Orientation: FTIC, online, and transfer sessions held this week. All went smoothly.
  • Policy Updates: Discussions initiated on new graduation policy and upper administration meeting with advising teams.
  • Hiring: AA2 position in final stages of the hiring process.
  • Transfer Credit Concerns:
    • Met with Registrar’s Office regarding AP and transfer credit posting delays. Stokes will connect with Dr. Longacre to explore solutions.

Undergraduate Affairs

  • Audits: Completed.
  • Web Updates: Ongoing updates across departmental and program pages.