This report serves as an executive summary of key recommendations that emerged from extensive analysis of critical needs, challenges, and opportunities related to improving STEM education in HSIs. Inputs were generated during a 2017 working conference convened, in part, to inform the development of a HSI program through the National Science Foundation (NSF). The conference was intentionally designed to maximize opportunities for collaboration among students, faculty, and administrators from both 2-year and 4-year HSIs.

Six major themes, encompassing 13 critical focus areas, emerged from the analysis, which are grouped around advising, mentoring and support systems, STEM academic structure, evidence-based pedagogies, equity and diversity, research experience and high impact practices, and serving hispanic students at HSIs.