NSF grant provides scholarships in ITK

Nearly $600,000 in grant funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) is making it easier for students from underrepresented groups to study in Illinois State University’s School of Information Technology. Scholarships of up to $20,000 will be available to information technology students thanks to the NSF’s Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) grant.

The S-STEM grant funding is spread over a five-year period and provides scholarships for academically talented students from underrepresented groups who need financial assistance to complete a degree. Four-year scholarships of up to $20,000 will be available for incoming freshmen who plan to major in computer science, information systems or telecommunications management. Students in the Department of Mathematics who have a minor in those disciplines are also eligible for the four-year scholarships. Transfer students can receive up to $5,000 per year under the program.

The NSF S-STEM grant funding was secured by Pruthikrai (Winn) Mahatanankoon, School of Information Technology; Saad El-Zanati, Department of Mathematics; and Willy Hunter, Chemistry and the Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology (CeMaST).

The S-STEM grant supports activities for recruitment, retention and placement of scholarship recipients in the workforce. Recruitment efforts will include a special outreach program targeted toward high school students in Chicago Public Schools. On-campus retention efforts for scholarship recipients will include faculty and peer mentoring and active participation in a student cohort within the School of Information Technology. Advisory boards within the school, comprised of information technology professionals, will provide support for career placement efforts.

“The National Science Foundation S-STEM grant funding greatly enhances our efforts to attract bright, promising students into the School of Information Technology,” said Mahatanankoon. “It is our hope to alleviate some of the financial burden for these talented students as they pursue much needed STEM-related careers.”

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