Albany State’s HBCU-UP STEM Academy expands after first-year gains

Albany State University is entering the second year of its HBCU-UP STEM Academy with a larger student cohort and new support programming for Fall 2026. The NSF-backed initiative is designed to boost recruitment, retention and graduation in STEM, after its first group posted GPA gains, logged community service and earned research honors.

Why it matters: - Albany State University’s HBCU-UP STEM Academy is aimed at improving STEM access and outcomes for underrepresented students. - The program targets recruitment, retention and on-time graduation in high-demand fields where student persistence often remains uneven. - The second-year expansion signals continued investment in a support model that combines academics, mentoring and financial aid.

What happened: - Albany State University said the HBCU Undergraduate Program STEM Academy is entering its second year with 35 students. - The program is supported by a National Science Foundation grant. - The initiative serves students majoring in Biology, Computer Science, Engineering, Forensic Science and Psychology. - The inaugural cohort included 15 students during the 2025-2026 academic year. - The next cohort includes 21 new students and 14 returning participants for Fall 2026. - The semester opens with orientation on August 19.

The details: - The first cohort raised its cumulative GPA from 3.13 in Fall 2025 to 3.16 by Summer 2026. - Students in the first cohort completed 331 hours of community service. - Three students tied for first place in the poster presentation competition at Albany State’s 14th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. - One participant moved from academic probation after the fall semester to earning all A’s by the end of spring after working on a personalized academic plan. - Participants receive more than $1,000 in first-year financial support. - That support includes two $500 stipends, one at the end of the fall semester and one at the end of the spring semester. - Students also receive a TI-84 graphing calculator for coursework. - The program adds specialized coursework, mentoring, research opportunities and experiential learning. - Fall 2026 programming includes Saturday academies covering physics, biology, chemistry, computer science, English, mathematics and college readiness. - Additional activities include field trips, mentorship pairings, mental wellness support, academic planning sessions and community-building events. - The learning community model keeps students progressing together and gives advancing students a chance to mentor incoming participants.

Between the lines: - The first-year results suggest the academy is working as both an academic support program and a student belonging strategy. - The mix of financial aid, structured mentoring and cohort-based learning is designed to reduce barriers that can slow STEM persistence. - The program’s emphasis on students later mentoring peers creates a built-in leadership pipeline.

What's next: - Albany State will launch the Fall 2026 cohort with orientation on August 19. - Students will move into a semester of academic sessions, workshops and engagement activities. - The university is continuing to use the HBCU-UP model to expand access and strengthen STEM outcomes.

The bottom line: - Albany State’s HBCU-UP STEM Academy is scaling up after a first year marked by academic improvement, student engagement and early research success.