To address the national and local shortage of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals, Indiana University Northwest recently applied for and was awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to attract and graduate students interested in pursuing these fields. The grant, totaling more than $600,000, will be used to provide scholarships and academic support to local students interested in studying science, math or technology at IU Northwest. Lowe said the award is a “significant recognition of the high quality of the science, technology and mathematics disciplines at IU Northwest and the importance of scholarships and academic support for qualified students” that will strengthen degree completion in STEM fields throughout the Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland region.

David Malik, Ph.D., IU Northwest’s Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, said the program will provide talented students with an invaluable opportunity to receive a high-quality STEM education at little or no cost.

In addition to scholarship support, the AIMS initiative will provide strong educational support to incoming STEM students through a cohort-style system that includes a one-week STEM orientation prior to the fall semester, a first-year STEM seminar, peer-led instructional and leadership opportunities, and support for joint STEM club activities.

The AIMS project, which has set the goal of increasing STEM graduates by 10 percent over a five-year period, was proposed to the NSF by a group of faculty at IU Northwest in response to the Foundation’s request for proposals to address the national shortage of STEM graduates.