TWU receives $599,863 National Science Foundation grant for scholarships

11/16/12

DENTON — Texas Woman’s University recently received a $599,863 grant from the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM) program. The university’s S-STEM program will use the funding to award scholarships to STEM majors at TWU.

The award is the second of two four-year NSF grants awarded to the university for a total of $1.19 million.

The TWU program is titled Quantitative and Analytical Sciences for Academic Reinforcement and Success. Scholarships of $5,000 to $10,000 per year will be awarded to TWU students majoring in the STEM fields.

According to Dr. DiAnna Hynds, program director and TWU associate professor of biology, the university’s program is increasing the STEM workforce in the United States by providing cross-disciplinary training in quantitative and analytical science for S-STEM scholars and TWU STEM majors.

“Boundaries between traditional STEM fields are narrowing, and many jobs require training where these fields meet. Our program prepares S-STEM undergraduates for these exciting careers,” she said.

Each year, the TWU S-STEM program provides scholarships for approximately 20 academically talented, but financially challenged, students. Dr. Hynds and her fellow S-STEM program co-directors Dr. Mary Anderson (chemistry and biochemistry), Dr. Junalyn Navarra-Madsen (mathematics and computer science) and Dr. Brian W. Beck (biology) administer the program and mentor the students to ensure they meet their academic goals.

More information on how students can apply for the scholarships is available at www.twu.edu/sstem.