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SUNY ESF Awarded Prestigious National Science Foundation Grant
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) has been awarded a prestigious grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to help drive the success of underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
"Diversity is a source of strength, creativity and innovation at ESF. We're so grateful for this grant, which will help our college continue its recruitment and retention initiatives to help students navigate and succeed in their college experience," said Dr. Malika Carter, ESF's chief diversity officer. "Diversifying the STEM workforce is one of the country's major challenges and a key focus at ESF. This grant helps support our efforts to prepare our students for 21st century STEM careers and, ultimately, bolster the national talent pool."
ESF was awarded the funds in partnership with six other regional colleges: Ithaca College, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Utica College, SUNY Cortland, Tompkins Cortland Community College and Herkimer County Community College. Together, they form the Central New York Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Alliance and will share a $2 million grant to work toward doubling the number of bachelor's degrees completed in STEM fields within five years.
ESF will receive $250,000 over the next five years to fund the ESF-directed project Extending the STEM Pipeline at ESF: Mentorship, Research and Graduate School. The grant will enable ESF to provide highly qualified students in underrepresented minority groups with mentors, research opportunities, and financial support as they pursue studies or careers in STEM. ESF LSAMP Scholars will develop their research skills, and participate in STEM career awareness and readiness programs. ESF is the only college in the CNY LSAMP that offers Ph.D. programs that are solely focused on STEM.
"ESF is committed to promoting diversity and supporting the success of minority students on our campus. This NSF grant will provide our students with vibrant research opportunities while they master college-level academic skills and complete their STEM degrees on time," said ESF President Joanie Mahoney."
ESF's grant was secured by the College's Office of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, led by Dr. Carter and Dr. Lizette Rivera, director of student inclusion initiatives and special assistant to the chief diversity officer. The Office will manage the program over the next five years.
Through the CNYLA, LSAMP scholars will also participate in collaborative programming with the other alliance members, including a summer bridge program that provides orientation to the alliance institutions, academic and research skills-building workshops, networking opportunities, and information on four-year schools and programs for community college students; early undergraduate research; a symposium where students will present research and network with students and faculty from other alliance schools; and faculty and peer mentoring.
About SUNY ESF
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.