Susquehanna University has been awarded a nearly $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to recruit and graduate students in physics, chemistry and biology.
Funding supports Susquehanna’s program, Developing Intensive Opportunities in Physics, Chemistry and Biology (DIO-PCB). Objectives include:
- Enrollment of 20 talented students who have demonstrated financial need
- Ensure that 90 percent of those students are either accepted for graduate studies or entering the workforce in their major within eight months of graduation;
- Develop specific programming tailored to physics, chemistry and biology scholars, including an interdisciplinary Summer Bridge Program, access to summer research opportunities; the development of a STEM section in our Center for Academic Achievement, and an interdisciplinary seminar course that features interaction with industry mentors and other invited speakers; and
- Develop and conduct roundtable discussions with local and regional workforce organizations to better align workforce needs with the supply of physics, chemistry and biology majors.
Additionally, the university will establish an innovative tele-mentoring program with alumni and other professionals that will generate new knowledge and increase internship and employment opportunities for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) students.
“This program answers a national need for increasing the U.S. STEM workforce by strengthening the pipeline with high-quality, enthusiastic physics, chemistry and biology scholars who will either pursue graduate studies or obtain jobs in fields associated with their major,” said Linda McMillin, provost, dean of the faculty, and co-chief operating officer at Susquehanna.
“Our interdisciplinary approach will improve access to career opportunities and the new tele-mentoring network will make it easier for students to access internships during the course of their studies.”
This is the third significant grant awarded to Susquehanna from the National Science Foundation in recent years.
In 2016, Susquehanna was awarded a $1.2 million grant to support the recruitment and education of chemistry, physics and mathematics majors pursuing teaching careers in high-need school districts.
In 2012, Susquehanna was awarded a $600,000 grant to provide financial support to academically qualified biology students who have been historically underrepresented in the sciences.
