EvCC receives $1.5 million National Science Foundation grant for scholarships and student support
Press Release
Release Date: Nov. 30, 2021
Contacts: Joyce Belcher, EvCC Dean of STEM and Health Professions, 425-388-9399; jbelcher@everettcc.edu
Katherine Schiffner, Director of Public Relations, 425-388-9554; kschiffner@everettcc.edu
EVERETT, Wash. – The National Science Foundation has awarded Everett Community College a $1.5 million grant for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) scholarships and support for students with demonstrated financial need.
“The E-STEM program will build upon EvCC’s commitment to equity and provide opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to engage with social justice issues beyond the classroom while cultivating a new generation of scientists,” said EvCC Dean of STEM and Health Professions Dr. Joyce Belcher.
EvCC will award 20 student E-STEM scholarships of up to $10,000 per year. Scholarship recipients will also receive mentoring and support to help them reach their academic goals.
To qualify for the E-STEM scholarship, students must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident or legal refugee; be earning a degree at EvCC in Engineering, Computer Science, Math, Physics/Astronomy, Earth Science, Chemistry, Biology, or Environmental Science (any degree that requires you to take Calculus); have a cumulative college-level GPA of 3.0 or higher (just estimate your GPA if you aren't sure) or 2.5 with a teacher recommendation; and have demonstrated financial need as determined by FAFSA. Application instructions and deadlines will be announced to the campus community.
The E-STEM scholarship is renewable annually while at EvCC with continued eligibility.
The grant is part of a larger effort to recruit and retain a more diverse STEM student population through the excitement of science rooted in social justice. Over its six-year duration, the project will offer students who are pursuing an associate degree in biology, computer science, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, geology, mathematics or physics up to $10,000 in need-based aid. Transfer students will receive up to two years of scholarships.
Belcher co-authored the grant along with EvCC instructors Frederick Dooley, Renuka Prabhakar, Sumita Singh and Kristine Washburn.
Scholarship recipients will have access to academic enrichment activities, such as cohort-based learning communities, peer and alumni mentoring, project-based learning experiences and a college transfer exploration roundtables series. In addition, career exposure, professional development workshops and other activities will support STEM scholars in developing the skills and support network necessary to reach their long-term goals.
For more information about the E-STEM grant or program, contact the project team at estem@everettcc.edu.
This project is funded by NSF’s Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics program, which seeks to increase the number of academically talented students with demonstrated financial need who earn degrees in STEM fields. It also aims to improve the education of future STEM workers, and to generate knowledge about the impact of academic enrichment activities on academic success, retention, transfer, graduation, and academic/career pathways of students with financial need.