Whitworth University Receives Nearly $2 Million Grant to Support Income-Eligible STEM Students
The Track 2 project called “S-STEM: Cultivating Communities and Empowering Futures for STEM Career Success” will directly impact high-achieving, low-income students by providing financial support, academic assistance and career exposure.
Kerry Breno, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, says the grant will help prepare all STEM scholars for entry into graduate programs and STEM careers.
“I am so excited about bringing additional talented STEM students to Whitworth and supporting them on their journey,” Breno says. “For low-income students, it puts pursuing their dreams of a scientific career within reach. We've also developed a holistic support program for students that will be open to and benefit all Whitworth STEM students. We really are cultivating a community that empowers our students for success.”
The project will provide at least 80 scholarships to at least 18 students majoring in biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, math and computer science disciplines, including several applied disciplines like bioinformatics and human-computer interaction. First-year college students will receive up to five years of scholarship support while pursuing their degrees.
"STEM skills are in high demand, with thousands of job openings statewide and more on the way," says U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. "The 80 scholarships provided by this program will set Whitworth students up for long-term career success and help the State of Washington continue to lead the world in tech innovation."
Evidence-based support systems will be provided within a vibrant living-learning community including a summer bridge program to enhance students’ foundational math and problem-solving skills, peer and faculty mentorship, proactive supplemental instruction, a first-year seminar including a speaker series, shared coursework, extracurricular cohort-building events, activities to promote career exploration and readiness, internships, and undergraduate research opportunities.
"Whitworth University is a remarkable institution and such a vital part of our Eastern Washington community,” U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner says. “This grant award demonstrates Whitworth's commitment to providing amazing opportunities for our region's students to prepare themselves for success in today’s competitive job market. This is a great win for Whitworth, and I look forward to doing everything I can to help secure more wins like this for our Eastern Washington schools through my work on the Committee on Education and the Workforce!"
In addition, the project will support curriculum improvements aimed at increasing student engagement and retention within gateway STEM courses that will be shared regionally.
Whitworth Interim Provost John Pell says the Cultivating Communities and Empowering Futures grant is further evidence of Whitworth’s commitment to make STEM education accessible for all students.
“As students consider their options for secondary study, they should know that at Whitworth they will work alongside world-class faculty, in world-class facilities, and pursue projects that serve the common good,” Pell says.
The project builds upon the success of Whitworth’s Track 1 S-STEM project, “NSF Scholars: Training Tomorrow’s Scientists Today.”
This multidisciplinary faculty team was integral to securing this grant: Kerry Breno, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry; Aaron Putzke, Ph.D., professor of biology; Phillip Measor, Ph.D., associate professor of engineering & physics; and Melissa Rogers, Ph.D., associate dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and professor of psychology.
Whitworth extends our gratitude to the following organizations and companies for their commitments to this program and support of career development opportunities: Micron, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Jubilant HollisterStier and Greater Spokane Inc.
About Whitworth University:
Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of about 2,500 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Contacts:
Trisha Coder, associate director of media relations, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or tcoder@whitworth.edu.
