Pueblo earns $500,000 for science, technology scholarships

Pueblo will receive $500,000 over the next four years to provide scholarships to financially needy students in science and technology fields in an effort to help them to finish degrees on time.

The University received notice that the National Science Foundation (NSF) had approved its S-STEM proposal (Scholarships for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to fund 20-25 scholarships of up to $5,000 each to financially needy and academically capable students majoring in the STEM disciplines. The available majors from the participating STEM disciplines at CSU-Pueblo are biology, chemistry, civil engineering technology, computer information systems, engineering – mechatronics, industrial engineering, mathematics, and physics.

According to Kristina Proctor, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, the S-STEM program aims to increase the number of technically educated employees in areas of local, regional, and national need. The money comes from a portion of the H1B visa fees which are paid by science and technology companies which now import foreign nationals to work in America. This congressionally mandated program aims to grow more American students who are prepared to fill these roles in the future.

“The Southeastern Colorado region lacks the technically educated workforce necessary for sustained economic growth. The S-STEM program will facilitate the recruitment, education, and retention to degree achievement of numerous students who would have difficulty reaching these goals otherwise,” Proctor said.

Proctor said research shows that undergraduates are more likely to be retained through degree completion when part of a full-time active learning community. This is particularly true of first-generation and minority students, both of which will be actively recruited as scholars. Local and regional industry also will be involved in the project as resources for both students and faculty, which will enhance career exploration efforts and academic success of the scholarship recipients.

The proposed project builds on a prior scholarship program funded in 2000 by NSF through the CSEMS (Computer Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Scholarships) program. The experience of the previously funded program led to the development of two new program features. First, the newly proposed program will begin funding students upon admission as first-year students, where the previous CSEMS program was designed to fund only junior and senior-level students. Secondly, the use of an interdisciplinary cohort will allow students to naturally associate as S-STEM scholars and professionals in training. The interdisciplinary cohort will provide active learning academic and career enrichment opportunities including 1) a university orientation and social event targeted primarily at the families of first generation S-STEM scholars, 2) a series of career exploration and enrichment activities such as guest speakers, tours, and seminars, and 3) scholarly, career, and support opportunities such as undergraduate research, career internships, mentoring by faculty or industry representatives, and tutoring of other students.

“I extend kudos to the faculty and staff who submitted a creative and innovative proposal that so aptly addresses and supports the challenges many of our first-generation students face,” said President Joseph Garcia. “This grant also serves as a shining example of cross campus collaboration for the benefit of our students.”

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