A student works in a science lab in Williams Hall. The
National Science Foundation has awarded the Kent State
University Scholarships for Broadening Participation in the
Sciences Program with funding to annually provide 21
scholarships of $5,000 each for undergraduate students.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded the Kent State University Scholarships for Broadening Participation in the Sciences Program with funding to annually provide 21 scholarships of $5,000 each for undergraduate students. The scholarship program, led by Committee Chair Jonathan Maletic, Ph.D., Kent State professor of computer science, was started in 2007 and is designed to assist financially disadvantaged students who show promise in the sciences by enabling them to pursue a full-time program of study that can be completed in four years.

The program also is designed to increase diversity in the sciences by recruiting women and minority students who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields.

“We work hard to recruit underrepresented groups to the sciences,” Maletic says. “Only 10 percent of undergraduate students in computer science are women, which is problematic for many reasons. There is a national need for more computer science graduates in the workforce partly because few women are pursuing degrees in this field. Also, having software being designed and built only by men but used by both genders can lead to less than optimal solutions of usability and overall quality.”

In addition to the financial support, the scholarship recipients will receive mentoring support. Mentors will lead discussions on career options, the pros and cons of graduate school, research opportunities and other topics to assist the students in planning for their future. The mentors try to ensure that their students are making sufficient progress in their programs and stay on track to graduate.

The scholarship is renewable each year and will be available through the 2017/2018 academic year. It is only available to students on the Kent Campus who are considered financially disadvantaged as defined by federal financial aid guidelines. Students unsure of their financial eligibility can visit www.FAFSA.ed.gov to check their status.

To learn more about the scholarship and apply, eligible students should visit the program’s website at www.stem-scholarships.kent.edu. The deadline for applications is April 30.

The NSF was founded in 1950 as an independent federal agency designed to promote the progress of science. It is the funding source for approximately 24 percent of all federally supported basic research conducted by America’s colleges and universities. In many fields such as mathematics, computer science and the social sciences, the NSF is the major source of federal backing. More information about NSF funding and awards is available at www.nsf.gov.