NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AWARDS $1 MILLION GRANT TO CONCORD UNIVERSITY FOR STEM SCHOLARSHIPS
CONTACT: Nicole Smith, Public Relations Manager
Concord University Office of Advancement
PO Box 1000, Athens, WV 24712
(304) 384-6312
nlsmith@concord.edu
www.concord.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 19, 2024
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AWARDS $1 MILLION GRANT TO CONCORD UNIVERSITY FOR STEM SCHOLARSHIPS
ATHENS, WV – The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $1 million to Concord University’s College of Science, Mathematics, and Health for a project titled “Science Engagement and Active Mentoring to Build Identity among Students in Computer Science, Chemistry and Geosciences” (SEAM Program). This project will contribute to the national need for well-educated scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and technicians by supporting the retention and graduation of high-achieving, low-income students with demonstrated financial need at Concord University. The project will last six years beginning October 1, 2024 and ending on September 30, 2030.
The project will fund scholarships to 19 unique full-time students who are pursuing bachelor of science degrees in chemistry, computer science, computer information systems, and environmental geosciences. First-year students will receive four-year scholarships and enrichment activities to support their academic and social growth through graduation. Students qualifying for the program must be eligible for the federal PELL grant.
The project will enhance students STEM and professional identity and development by tying together cohort building, career and entrepreneurial focused field trips, direct mentoring by student peers and faculty, and a variety of workshops. As a distinguishing feature, SEAM cohorts will be able to participate in outreach and research activities at Concord’s Materials and Rare Earth Element Analysis Center and Virginia Tech’s NSF-funded NanoEarth laboratory. Ultimately, the project will help grow the regional STEM workforce while enhancing its diversification.
This project is funded by NSF’s Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics program, which seeks to increase the number of low-income academically talented students with demonstrated financial need who earn degrees in STEM fields. It also aims to improve the education of future STEM workers, and to generate knowledge about academic success and career pathways of low-income students.
Concord will begin recruiting highs school seniors this year for the incoming 2025 SEAM cohort. Interested students can contact Dr. Joseph Allen at allenj@concord.edu. For media inquiries, please contact Nicole Smith, Public Relations Manager at nlsmith@concord.edu or 304-384-6312.
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