Harris-Stowe State University announces renewal of $3.5 Million National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant
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Posted By: Reginald Culpepper on September 14, 2023 Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) has been awarded a five-year, $3.5 million continuing grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support its Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) efforts and further the work of HSSU’s Missouri Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (MOLSAMP) program making this the second largest funding award that the University has received to date. The largest award the University received was the first NSF LSAMP award of $5 Million in 2015. MOLSAMP is a STEM initiative that improves academic persistence, degree completion, and undergraduate research metrics. HSSU is the designated awardee and lead institution of the MOLSAMP Alliance, which consists of other universities such as Lincoln University, Missouri State University, St. Louis Community College, Truman State University, University of Central Missouri, University of Missouri- Columbia, University of Missouri St. Louis, and Washington University in St. Louis. In the next five years, the Alliance plans to increase the number of students graduating with STEM degrees in Missouri. Under the first grant, MOLSAMP achieved a collective 44% increase in STEM graduates from its respective institutions. Additionally, MOLSAMP accomplished its retention objective of retaining at least 60% of second year students, which supported the increases in the number of students graduating in the state with STEM degrees. The HSSU MOLSAMP program also hosted four undergraduate research symposiums, a summer sophomore STEM institute, and had an HSSU student win 1st place at the Emerging Researchers National (ERN) STEM Conference. HSSU President Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith said she is proud of the work HSSU has done thus far and that, “we will continue to teach, train and mentor the next generation of STEM leaders at HSSU”. “At HSSU, we believe it is vital for us to do our part to strengthen Missouri’s STEM Workforce and produce quality employees representing diverse backgrounds," Dr. Collins Smith said. “Continuing this initiative will allow us to continue to increase recruitment, retention, and graduation rates of STEM students and continue to be a leader in STEM across the country." HSSU’s Vice President for STEM Initiatives and Research Partnerships and MOLSAMP Principal Investigator, Dr. Freddie Wills Jr., said this will help broaden our impact in the STEM space overall. “What excites me most about this award is that it continues to deepen University leadership for broadening participation of underrepresented minorities in STEM, enhancing STEM across the State of Missouri, and elevating Harris-Stowe’s place in STEM amongst HBCUs,” he said. “MOLSAMP’s main objectives continue to be persisting students to graduation, strengthening their capacity for conducting research, and advancing students to graduate school or immediately into the STEM workforce after graduation.” The next set of MOLSAMP objectives the University hopes to accomplish are as follows: 1. Increase the total number of URMs graduating with STEM degrees in the MOLSAMP Alliance by 15% in five years. 2. Increase the second-to-third year persistence rate of Level 1 students to 75% or higher. 3. Increase the number of students engaged in undergraduate research or other scholarly activity to meet or exceed the national baseline; and 4. Increase the number of URMs entering post-baccalaureate programs in STEM fields or the STEM workforce immediately after graduation by 25%. HSSU was awarded a statewide mission in STEM designation in August 2021, but since its founding, the university has dedicated itself to delivering a quality education to underserved populations while developing the whole student and enhancing the economic visibility of underrepresented citizens in Missouri. “With this award, HSSU will continue to contribute to the growth of the STEM workforce, while also increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in STEM careers,” Dr. Wills said. “And, as Missouri has a critical need for a larger STEM workforce, both to fill current needs and to attract more companies to locate here, this designation enables HSSU to play a critical role in furthering our state’s competitiveness.” HSSU’s priority towards servicing a majority African American student population, and its history of producing quality graduates, positions the University as a key partner to increasing and diversifying Missouri’s STEM Workforce and furthering economic gains in STEM. About Harris-Stowe State University Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU), located in midtown St. Louis offers the most affordable bachelor's degree in the state of Missouri. The University is a fully accredited four-year institution with more than 60 majors, certifications, and certificate program options in education, business, and arts and sciences. Harris-Stowe's mission is to provide outstanding educational opportunities for individuals seeking a rich and engaging academic experience. HSSU's programs are designed to nurture intellectual curiosity and build authentic skills that prepare students for leadership roles in a global society. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Reginald Culpepper
President, Fulfillment and Web Services, HBCUCONNECT Clark Atlanta University class of 1998 Member Since September 2000 |
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