Advances in science and technology and their ubiquitous applications in various aspects of the nation’s industry, economy, and everyday living require the availability of a large technical workforce that is highly educated in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).  Currently in the U.S., the demand for STEM workers exceeds the available supply and projections indicate that, without concerted national efforts, that imbalance between demand and supply is likely to increase in the future.   As a consequence, institutions of higher education, particularly, those that offer degrees in STEM are called upon to work diligently to recruit more students into STEM and help admitted students complete their STEM degrees in order to help meet the demands for a larger STEM workforce in the U.S.

The Project

This project is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through its Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM).  It aims to:

1. Provide financial support for academically-talented, financially-needy students majoring in engineering, technology, or computer science in the form of S-STEM scholarships
2. Support them academically and socially so that they can persist and complete their bachelor’s degrees and do so in a reasonably short time
3. Assist them to enter the STEM workforce to become effective contributors to the nation’s economy

This project targets rising college juniors who are pursuing STEM degrees in the College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science (ETCS).  Such students are enrolled in the following departments: Civil and Mechanical Engineering (CME), Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), Computer Science (CS), Manufacturing and Construction Engineering Technology (MCET), and Computer, Electrical, and Information Engineering Technology (CEIT).

Specific Objectives

The project has the following specific objectives:

• Create and sustain an active community to support commuting students who major in STEM subjects.
• Strengthen the structure that provides academic, financial, and social support for commuting students.
• Increase the use of academic support services already available through enhanced advising, guidance, and mentoring.
• Assist students in focusing more intently on their studies in order to accelerate the completion of degree programs.
• Increase the number of skilled and well-educated workers who enter STEM fields of employment in engineering, technology, and computer science.
• Increase our understanding of what commuting students need to help them persist in their studies and complete bachelor’s degrees in STEM in a reasonable time frame.

Selection of S-STEM Scholars

The selection process is competitive. Each selected scholar will receive up to two years (junior and senior years) with an annual (academic year) support of up to $ 8,332. Scholars must meet eligibility requirements set by NSF and the academic participation requirements set by the program. Therefore, the renewal of a scholarship from one semester to the next is not automatic. It is subject to a review of performance by and the approval of the scholarship selection committee.

Links to forms required for applying for an NSF S-STEM Scholarship.