The College of Engineering in collaboration with the Graduate School has received a $600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to implement a Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM) project that builds a direct bridge to the Ph.D. for outstanding undergraduate engineering and computer science students.
The objectives of the project are to increase the number of senior engineering and computer science students, in particular those of Hispanic background, who will become motivated to pursue a doctoral degree at UTEP; to provide advising and mentoring opportunities that will enable S-STEM scholars to transition seamlessly into Ph.D. programs; to offer a professional development for S-STEM scholars that will provide the tools necessary for a successful doctoral career; and to systematically track progress made by S-STEM scholars toward degree completion.
To address the project goals and objectives of the project, UTEP has assembled an outstanding team of administrators, faculty, and professional staff who are in charge of integrating advising, mentoring, and professional development in a way that allows students and faculty plan a productive doctoral experience with a concrete timeline for degree completion.
The project clearly has the potential for becoming a model for broader participation by increasing the number of degrees awarded to Hispanics in a relative short period of time. Furthermore, the mentoring model is replicable and has the potential for broader impact in the way that institutions approach issues of recruiting, retention and graduation at the graduate level.
Dr. Benjamin C. Flores, Principal Investigator of the project, said: "The College of Engineering has a great track record in promoting first-generation college student success. This new scholarship program builds on our record by rewarding outstanding senior engineering and computer students and encouraging them to pursue doctoral degrees in STEM disciplines."
For more information contact Ingrid Wright, at 915.747.5971 or iiaguirre@utep.edu