$549K grant to create Scholars in Science and Math Program

Skidmore has received a $548,841 grant from the National Science Foundation to recruit students to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

The funds will allow the College to establish the Skidmore Scholars in Science and Mathematics (S3M) Program, with a focus on recruiting and supporting financially needy but academically competitive students, particularly those from underrepresented groups, in the STEM disciplines.

Vice President for Academic Affairs Susan Kress pointed out that this program allows Skidmore to address two key goals of its Strategic Plan: increase the number of students in the sciences and mathematics, and enhance the diversity of the undergraduate student population. She recognized the work of principal investigators Mark Hofmann, associate dean of the faculty, and Susan Layden, associate dean of student affairs, as well as the leadership of Muriel Poston, dean of the faculty.

Rep. Kirstin Gillibrand (D-20) announced the grant Aug. 7, noting that she introduced an amendment to the 21st Century Competitiveness Act creating a program specifically for the recruitment of students who plan to major in the STEM disciplines. ?This is an amazing opportunity for Skidmore,? Gillibrand said. ?The future of America rests on our ability to compete globally in these fields and we must encourage our children and invest in their future through opportunities such as this,?she said.

S3M will extend five years, from September 2007 to June 2012. During that time, the College will provide two-year scholarships of $10,000 each year to eight students, particularly students matriculating from community colleges, supporting a total of 24 students over the life of the grant. Goals of the program will be to introduce students to contemporary disciplinary and interdisciplinary science, and to undergraduate research and to internships, to encourage and equip them to enter graduate school and professional science careers. The program also offers the opportunity for students to connect to the science disciplines through a summer program of research and academic support and enrichment.

The College will leverage the NSF funding with institutional resources to maximize the impact on undergraduate science and mathematics education and outreach.

The program incorporates Skidmore?s First-Year Experience; a transitional summer program for rising sophomores that includes academic support, an overview of the disciplinary and interdisciplinary majors, and the opportunity to participate in undergraduate research activities; academic support such as peer tutoring, study groups, mentoring, and advising; and alumni networks to provide students with an understanding of the multiple paths to graduate study and careers in science.