SAN ANGELO, Texas — Angelo State University received a $4.77 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education for a new project designed to enhance enrollment, retention and graduation for Hispanic, income-eligible and under-represented students in STEM fields.
The grant received will fund a project called, “Critical Pathway to STEM” (ISEC). The goal for this project is to increase ASU STEM graduates that fall under the category of under-represented by five percent each year so that by the end of the five-year plan there will be a total increase of 25 percent.
“This is a grant that we will be working with for the next five years and our focus is to help provide the support for our students that are in the STEM majors, really focusing on those students and giving them the services and support they need,” Director of HSI Grant Projects/Special Projects, Angelo State University, Jessica Gooch said.
Gooch says there are many ways the department plans on using the funds awarded, they are currently looking at centers that need renovations and upgrades. The ISEC project will include providing a wrap around support mentorship for students from under-represented groups.
“There are a number of support services for these students and this grant in particular supports an expansion of the mathematics lab, tutoring center and our supplemental instruction program,” Dean/professor, College of Science and Engineering, Paul Swets, said.
Angelo State University is dedicated to making efforts to amplify resources for under-represented students. The National Science Foundation and Astrophysical Research Consortium also awarded a grant to ASU faculty with an intent to increase student diversity and opportunities for under-represented student groups in ASU's STEM majors.
