Meredith College Wins Nearly $1 Million to Support Women in STEM

The School of Natural and Mathematical Sciences at Meredith College has won nearly $1 million from the National Science Foundation to help support women pursuing education in STEM fields.

The college will use the grant money, estimated to be $997,077, to launch the Advancing Women's Education in STEM (AWE-STEM) Scholars Program, which will aim to offer additional scholarship and programming support for women in STEM majors beginning next fall.

"The AWE-STEM Scholars Program is consistent with the mission and vision of Meredith College — to help young women realize and build on their strengths, to broaden their perspective and to prepare them for roles of impact and leadership," said Professor of Chemistry Walda Powell in a prepared statement.

A $4,500 per year scholarship will be awarded to students who qualify based on merit and need. AWE-STEM scholars will also participate in a learning community, a mentoring program, a women in STEM speakers program and, if they choose, a summer institute.

"Meredith is a smaller liberal arts college that has a strong background in preparing and supporting women for careers in STEM-related fields," said Jennifer Hontz, professor of mathematics at Meredith, in a prepared statement. "To be awarded the grant from NSF is both validating and rewarding — it is an exciting opportunity to continue and to expand the level of support for women in STEM."

About the Author

Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].

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