Graduating Great Minds CoMPASS (GMC) Scholars: NSF grant supported local Worcester students at WPI

Nine WPI Great Minds CoMPASS (GMC) scholars in the Class of 2025 are graduating in May. The GMC scholarship program supports alumni from the Worcester Public School (WPS) district to attend WPI; but it is not just a financial scholarship – GMC recipients are part of a holistic student-centered program where they attend quarterly mentor meetings, engage in professional development seminars, participated in summer research programs, and many accelerated their degrees by taking summer courses. The GMC scholars did this with help from a small but mighty support team of WPI staff, administrators, and faculty/staff: Kathy Chen, Debra Boucher, and Jess Rosewitz.

The first cohort of GMC scholars was recruited in 2019, when WPI was awarded the CoMPASS grant from NSF (Connecting Mentor Partners for Academic Success of Undergraduates in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics). Since then, the support team has leveraged the NSF grant to drive institutional change at WPI to support students. GMC scholars know who their people are at WPI, who they can ask for assistance, and who they can turn to in times of need or just to check-in; the team has been there for the students since their matriculation to WPI four years ago. But it’s not just continuous ad hoc support; the team celebrates the GMC scholars’ achievements, and this year’s graduates are exceptional.

As they graduate with their bachelor’s degrees, four have already accepted full-time jobs in their field, having taken advantage of the Heebner Career Development Center. Three are completing their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 4 years by accelerating their degree programs and taking summer courses. Two are earning their Initial Teaching License through the WPI Teacher Prep Program, and one is also a Noyce Scholar, committed to teaching in a high needs school after graduation. Finally, two more are continuing at WPI to complete their master’s degrees in the coming academic year. These students have taken the opportunities of WPI and carved their own pathways toward the futures they envision for themselves. 

While the NSF grant supporting two cohorts of GMC scholars is wrapping up, WPI has learned a lot about the kinds of supports and systems that students need to thrive. The Great Minds Scholar program continues, funded by alumni donations, and will welcome an even bigger cohort of students in the fall. Undergraduate Studies will continue to support these students by building institutional structures in collaboration with Admissions, Academic Advising, ODIME, and Residential life and build upon the high-impact practices  and infrastructure needed for WPI students to thrive.