Hendrix College announced it has received a $2.5 million, six-year grant from the National Science Foundation to fund scholarships in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
In a news release, the private liberal arts college in Conway said scholarships up to $15,000 will be awarded annually to students from economically limited backgrounds. Those students will have the opportunity to participate in a structured learning community and will receive summer stipends to pursue research and internships.
Participants will also be engaged in a community-based project facilitated through Hendrix College and the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub. As part of the project, the students will identify challenges that can be addressed through scientific solutions.
A main goal of the funding is to help students identify ways in which they can bring their talents and ideas forward to solve problems in their local communities, particularly in regions of Arkansas with limited infrastructure and access to broadband internet, according to the release. The grant also provides funding for faculty workshops and development to position them to most effectively support the STEM Scholars through intentional advising and mentorship.
“We are honored to be included in this incredible opportunity with Hendrix College,” Erin Stanger, director of the Innovation Hub, said in a statement. “This collaboration demonstrates the power of community working together to provide resources for advancements in STEM. The commitment to serving economically limited individuals is directly in line with our mission.”
The program will be available to three cohorts of 10 students who plan on pursuing the STEM disciplines including biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and computer science, biochemistry and molecular biology, and chemical physics.
Hendrix College said that all students who meet financial criteria are eligible, but its especially interested in recruiting students from the rural regions of Arkansas and surrounding states.
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