Establishing "STEMM Identity" at USG

This work discusses the need of changing the current structure of supporting services for STEM and Medicine (STEMM) programs and students at Universities at Shady Grove (USG) and proposes a new structural model. Through this work, first, an introduction to the needs of change is provided and three conceptual foundations: fundamental theories from organizational studies - Open System Theory and Contingency Theory (Lawrence and Lorsch, 1967), Network of STEM Education Centers (NSEC) and current research, and the stake holders' needs and suggestions, which shape this study are provided. Later the current state of STEMM programming and support at USG is shown and the difficulty of the current model through the lens of the conceptual foundations is discussed. Finally, the vision for the new structure and the new STEMM center structural model are proposed and Tichy's TPC Framework (1983) is suggested as an organization diagnostic model.
Universities at Shady Grove is a higher education center, and part of the University System of Maryland (USM). It is located in the heart of Montgomery County, which is home to many biotech and pharmaceutical companies and accordingly USG promises to "support workforce and economic development in the state" (from USG's mission statement). Nine universities from USM offer several undergraduate and graduate programs at the USG campus. Also, USG serves transfer undergraduate students. Considering the location and type of students at USG, the student population is very diverse and the majority belongs to nontraditional students. Like the other universities, USG has different centers and units to support the functionality of these nine university programs and the success of students.