The National Science Foundation has selected a collaborative proposal between the University of Alaska Southeast and the University of Alaska Anchorage for a $650,000 competitive award that will provide 22 scholarships for students pursuing 4-year STEM degrees at UAS. The 5-year grant, Increasing the Academic and Career Success of Alaska Native and Rural Students in Science and Math, is the product of a collaborative effort between UAS and UAA faculty and staff. It is led by UAS Professor of Biology David Tallmon and Dayna DeFeo, Director of the Center for Alaska Education Policy Research at UAA’s Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER).
Scholarship funds will help students from disadvantaged backgrounds overcome financial barriers. Project designers also built in components to help them adapt and succeed while at school:
- Scholarship recipients will work 1-on-1 with faculty mentors to develop coursework and future career plans as soon as they arrive on the Juneau campus.
- A new seminar series will be available for all UAS students, offering support around academic skill building, undergraduate research opportunities, as well as internship and career opportunities in collaboration with community and regional partners.
DeFeo will lead the research component of the project, exploring how career-decision self efficacy (CDSE) is affected by demographic characteristics, and supported by faculty mentoring.
“This project is a trifecta!” said DeFeo. “It supports cross-campus collaboration in the UA system, provides meaningful support and resources to students, and aligns to the CAEPR research agenda around college readiness and workforce transitions. I expect that the research for this project will not only make an empirical contribution, but will have practical applications for UA and other institutions.”
“It feels good to share some positive news with UAS students, the community, and Juneau during these difficult times,” said Tallmon. “We pursued this grant to provide scholarships that will increase university access for underserved students at a time when tuition increases and funding cuts have combined to increase barriers to university attendance. And, it never hurts to bring in grant dollars that will filter through Juneau when so many sources of local income have been shut off.”
Students will begin receiving these STEM scholarships as early as Fall 2021. Prospective students can apply for the scholarships when they apply to UAS. Information about the scholarship application is available from the UAS Financial Aid office. The deadline is February 15.
The project is funded by grants from the National Science Foundation, award numbers 2030174 and 2030114.
