Abstract: The Program of Excellence in STEM (PE-STEM) is designed to provide a model for increasing the recruitment, retention and graduation of FAMU’s STEM majors, through mentoring, advisement, and professional and research development of participants. The focus of the intervention is on area high school students and entering college freshmen, and seeks to increase participation of students from underrepresented groups to STEM disciplines. PE-STEM uses a 3-tiered approach centered around recruitment, retention and graduation, including a three-week Summer Academy, as well as monthly academic workshops. It is the intent that PE-STEM serve as a national collaborative model between STEM departments by 1) providing a student cohort across STEM disciplines in an effort to maintain a strong learning community, and establishing collaboration between k-12 instructors and faculty from FAMU, to provide the students with extensive resources and advisement their progression toward a STEM degree.