Funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, New Scholarship Program at Duke Aims to Increase Underrepresented Minorities in Graduate Stem Disciplines
Duke is launching a new program focused on increasing its population of underrepresented minority students studying science and engineering at the graduate level.
Funded by a $1 million grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the University Center of Exemplary Mentoring program will award 10 scholarships of $40,000 over five years to students who pursue paths in biology, chemistry, civil and environmental engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, material science and mechanical engineering. The scholars will also have access to a support network of faculty mentors to help them prepare for careers in STEM fields.
“The very successful culture of educating the next generation of scientists, mathematicians and engineers is to engage young, aspiring, well-prepared people in frontier research with experienced scientists and experts,” wrote Calvin Howell, professor of physics and co-principal investigator for the UCEM, in an email. “Given that genius resides in every generation, this endeavor applies intellectual energies from the perspectives of multiple generations.”
The program, which will also be funded by the Office of the Provost and the Graduate School, will be the ninth such program in the country. In addition to providing the students scholarships, the program aims to ensure that the participants succeed academically and are ready for their careers by the time they graduate...