University receives NSF
grant for science scholarships
Shippensburg
University will use a National Science Foundation grant to provide scholarships
to recruit and retain students in the science, engineering, technology and
mathematics fields.
The
$586,500 grant will support the Shippensburg University Scholarships for Educational Achievement in
STEM (Ship-SEA- STEM) program that continues to Aug.
31, 2017.
According
to Dr. Barbara Lyman, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, “I
am convinced that Shippensburg University was successful in being awarded this
NSF grant not only because of the competitiveness of the proposal by the
stellar faculty leading this initiative but also because this grant builds on a
strong foundation of quality STEM programs and high impact educational
practices already in place at this university.”
The program is led by Dr. Marcie
Baer-Lehman, associate professor of biology, who will serve as lead
investigator along with Dr. Sherri Bergsten, associate professor of biology; Dr. Benjamin J. Galluzzo, assistant
professor of mathematics; Dr. Robin McCann, associate professor of chemistry;
and Dr. Christopher J. Woltemade, professor of geography-earth science.
Ship-SEA- STEM will recruit academically talented students from economically disadvantaged and under-
represented populations, including first generation college students, students from rural populations and minority populations, retain those students and increase student diversity
in STEM disciplines.
The program will provide a minimum of 37 selected scholars with a
comprehensive suite of
financial assistance, support services, internship placements, and research opportunities beginning with the Fall 2013
semester. Each participant will receive a Ship-SEA-STEM scholarship up to $3,750 per year along with other financial support such as a Pennsylvania
State System of Higher Education Board of Governors’ scholarship.
Applicants will be screened based on full time
enrollment in a
participating STEM major,
graduation from an accredited high school, SAT performance, class rank, GPA and demonstrated financial need. A core writing course and workshops will be designed specifically for Ship-SEA-STEM
students in conjunction with career, academic, advising, tutoring and informational support services already available on campus.
The
program will also use mentor/scholar interactions to meet its goal of attractingand retaining underrepresented populations within the STEM disciplines. Using various team-building experiences such as a targeted scientific writing course, workshops, retreats,research and internships, Ship- SEA-STEM strives to increase motivation, enhance self-esteem, encourage learning, teach students how to
problem solve, collaborate,and develop professional relationships.
9/19/12