This paper presents the impact of the Vikings Enhanced STEM Innovation and Collaboration (VESTEMic) Program on student learning experiences, learning outcomes, and support for diverse learners at a rural institution. STEM education, which encompasses Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, is widely recognized as a critical driver of workforce readiness, economic growth, and innovation. However, persistent challenges remain in providing equitable access to high-quality STEM opportunities, particularly in underrepresented and underserved communities, where students often face barriers such as limited resources, insufficient mentorship, and lack of early exposure to STEM pathways.

To help address these disparities, federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) have funded initiatives at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) across the United States. These programs are instrumental in expanding access to STEM education by providing resources, mentorship, and experiential learning opportunities.

The VESTEMic program, funded through NSF’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP), was specifically designed to improve STEM retention and success rates by addressing the unique needs of underrepresented students. Key interventions—including a Freshman Bootcamp, Sophomore Bridge Program, STEM Innovation Research Lab, and a Hierarchical Mentoring model—created a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

The program emphasized learner diversity and tackled academic, social, and developmental barriers to STEM persistence. Through adaptive learning technologies, peer mentoring, and collaborative research experiences, students developed practical skills, built academic confidence, and deepened faculty and peer engagement. Both qualitative and quantitative findings highlight how these interventions fostered academic growth and personal resilience, particularly among first-generation college students and those from underserved backgrounds.

The final paper will detail the program's design, outcomes, and lessons learned, and will offer strategies to guide educators and administrators in implementing inclusive STEM learning models that serve today’s diverse student populations.

Keywords: STEM Education, bridge programs, intervention, peer-mentoring, retention.