FOR MORE INFORMATION:
MARK JENSEN, chair/professor, Chemistry
(218) 299-3571
AMY KELLY, Communications and Media Relations director
(218) 299-3642
CONCORDIA COLLEGE RECEIVES NSF GRANT
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Concordia College a $960,000 grant through the Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program. Project director Dr. Mark Jensen, chair/professor of chemistry, will lead the program, which includes $576,000 for scholarships.
The Concordia College FOCUS program (Fostering Opportunities for Community, Understanding, and Success) has been created to assist in expansion of the STEM workforce by developing and implementing strategies to attract, retain, and prepare academically talented, low-income students interested in STEM careers.
Two cohorts of 12 students will be awarded significant scholarship support, with particular efforts being made to encourage applicants from diverse populations that have been traditionally underrepresented on campus.
Once in the program, the students will be supported by a strong mentoring network and a variety of academic, social, and vocational opportunities to help them flourish and succeed during their time at Concordia and beyond.
“We as faculty are always excited to teach and mentor talented students,” says Jensen. “But I’m particularly excited about the opportunities this grant will provide to help us better understand how we may need to change to offer a more welcoming and supportive environment to students from diverse backgrounds.”
This award starts March 1, 2017, and ends Feb. 28, 2022. Concordia anticipates welcoming the first cohort of scholars to campus this fall. This is Concordia’s second S-STEM grant award.
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