Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) announced California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) will receive $2,500,000 in federal funding from the National Science Foundation for a project aimed at decreasing equity gaps and increasing graduation rates among Latinx and female students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
“STEM fields will continue to play an increasingly critical role in our economy and workforce, and so it is crucial that we ensure that people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to succeed and become leaders in these fields,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “I am so pleased that CSUCI has received this award to move ahead with its program to help create a more diverse student body and help ensure our students are graduating with the tools to achieve their dreams and succeed in the 21st century economy.”
“CSUCI is incredibly honored to receive this NSF grant that will enable our faculty to develop transformational programs and conduct invaluable research aimed at decreasing equity gaps and increasing graduation rates among Latinx and female students interested in the STEM fields,” said CSU Channel Islands President Erika D. Beck.
The National Science Foundation awarded $2,500,000 to CSUCI for the project, titled the “Hispanic-Serving Institution – STEM Model for Advancing Research and Teaching (HSI-SMART)” program. This program will help incoming STEM students connect with students already in STEM majors and in turn help them develop into mentors themselves for the next generation of students. This program will also help establish STEM advising workshops, place students in introductory courses to serve as learning assistants, and expand the availability of paid research assistantships on faculty research projects.
Issues: 116th Congress, Education, Local Issues