UTRGV and STC receive NSF grant for coordinated studies in calculus

By Victoria Brito Morales

The UTRGV School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (SMSS) has been awarded an almost $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to coordinate calculus instruction between UTRGV and South Texas College (STC).

The “HSI Implementation and Evaluation Project: Enhancing Student Success in Calculus to Strengthen STEM Pathways at Hispanic-Serving Institutions,” is intended to increase student success and decrease the average time students take to complete their calculus requirement by standardizing content and instruction between the two schools.

In the long run, the project is designed to help improve the transition between courses from Pre-Calculus through Calculus II and ease the transfer between institutions for students.

Principal investigator (PI) on the project is Dr. Baofeng Feng, a professor in the SMSS. Co-PIs are Dr. Timothy Huber, associate professor and school director of SMSS; Dr. Roger Knobel, associate professor of SMSS; Dr. Kaitlyn Serbin, assistant professor in SMSS; and Mario Morin, chair of the Mathematics Department at STC.

Feng said the grant award is a testament to the dedication and collaborative efforts of the teams at UTRGV and South Texas College.

“This grant will enable us to significantly enhance calculus instruction and support, ultimately improving student success and retention in STEM fields,” he said. “We are excited to embark on this transformative journey that will positively impact our students and the community.”

As part of the project, students will be supported in-class with activities and interventions, such as early-semester supplemental instruction, in-class peer assistants and exam retakes.

Instructors will receive professional development focused on teaching key groups, such as first-generation college students, students from low-income families, students repeating Calculus I/II and those taking a calculus class with long time gaps between prerequisite courses.

This joint agreement will enhance experience for calculus students at both schools. Implementation begins this fall and runs through summer 2027.

“We are thrilled to receive this significant grant from the NSF,” co-PI Huber said. “This funding recognizes the collaborative efforts of UTRGV and STC to bring calculus instruction into the 21^st century and support student success in STEM fields. The project will create a robust support system for students and will allow all students to thrive in calculus and pursue successful careers in STEM.”

Feng said a group of UTRGV colleagues contributed to developing the proposal and making it possible to secure the NSF grant, including Susan Brown, assistant vice president, Office of Strategic Analysis and Institutional Reporting (SAIR); Yvette Espindola, pre-award manager in the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP); Melissa Garza, research services coordinator in OSP; Roxanna Garcia, post-award manager in OSP; and Ruth Lozano, executive director of Research Administration in OSP.

“Without their support, it would have been impossible to get this $1 million grant,” he said.

For more information on the UTRGV School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, visit https://www.utrgv.edu/math/index.htm