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A STEM Talent Expansion Program (STEP IB) has been scaled up and it now places ~90% of all first-time first-year summer orientation participants into cohorts. Students in a cohort take the same 3-to-5 courses together in fall semester and 2-to-4 courses together in spring semester. Progressing the entire first year as a cohort builds connection between students and among students, faculty and staff. A cohort also serves as a focal point to direct information about student support services created as a result of the STEP award. Factors impacting institutionalization of STEP at Western Michigan University and sustainability of the program when NSF funding ends will be described in this paper. The second-year retention rate and 6-year graduation rate are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]