The National Science Foundation has awarded John Carroll University a $640,000 grant to recruit, retain, and provide scholarship support for students working toward degrees in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM). The goal of the grant is to increase the enrollment and graduation rates of academically high-performing students who have demonstrated financial need, particularly among first generation college students and underrepresented minorities. John Carroll will offer the scholarship program to eligible incoming first year students beginning in Fall 2018 and eligible transfer students in Fall 2020. Known as the NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Program (S-STEM), the grant will support 32 undergraduate students who will receive annually renewable $4,000 scholarships as long they maintain John Carroll’s required academic standards in a STEM-related major, including: Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering Physics, Environmental Science, Mathematics, and Physics. Scholarship recipients will also benefit from a summer bridge program, peer mentoring, shared campus housing (“Living Learning Communities”), research fellowships, scientific conferences, and career development opportunities. “This grant furthers John Carroll University’s dedication to our mission by enhancing access and support for more young people, and it advances our commitment to provide excellent preparation for students pursuing emerging careers in our region, including healthcare and biotechnology,” said Margaret Farrar, Ph.D., dean of the university’s College of Arts and Sciences. Rebecca Drenovsky, Ph.D., professor and chair of John Carroll’s Department of Biology, who completed the highly competitive federal grant application process to obtain the award, will serve as the NSF S-STEM project director. She has assembled a team of faculty and staff to guide efforts aimed at developing and graduating science scholars. The team will also research educational practices that bolster student success in STEM. Highlighting the impact of the project, Dr. Drenovsky stated, “I am grateful to the National Science Foundation for a grant that presents one of the most significant opportunities we have to immediately connect current and future John Carroll students with in-demand STEM careers regionally and nationally.” The NSF S-STEM grant will be funded for five years. Contact: Tonya Strong-Charles | Executive Director of Media Relations | 216.397.1958 or tstrong@jcu.edu
Scholarship application information can be found on the University's MIRRORS page:
Tonya Strong-Charles | Executive Director of Media Relations | tstrong@jcu.edu