Salve Regina University announced today that it has been awarded a $1M grant from the National Science Foundation for student development.
The “Supporting STEM Scholars to Engage in the Blue Economy” project contributes to the national need for a diverse and capable workforce of scientists, mathematicians, engineers and technicians by increasing STEM degree completion of high-achieving, low-income students.
Over its six-year duration, the project will fund scholarships for 16 full-time students with demonstrated financial need pursuing bachelor’s degrees in biology, chemistry, or mathematics. It will include services and practices to support the retention and graduation of these students, from their transition into college to their career search and placement. The goal is to ensure that 90% of the awarded scholars are retained from their freshman to sophomore years, and that 90% graduate within four years.
The program also aims to improve the education of future STEM workers and generate knowledge about academic success, retention, transfer, graduation, and academic/career pathways of low-income students.
“The attrition rate for STEM students is high, particularly for those from non-traditional backgrounds,” said Dr. Belinda Barbagallo, associate professor of biology at Salve and principal investigator of the NSF grant project. “With this award we’re able to go beyond scholarships alone and build a scaffolded plan to help students get through all four years. It allows us to take a holistic approach, building a mentoring network, assisting with internship placement, and focusing on cohort-building to create a sense of belonging in the STEM community – best practices that lead to student success.”
By partnering with local blue economy (ocean-focused) organizations such as the U.S. Naval Undersea Warfare Center and Save the Bay, the program will prepare Salve students for employment through real-life experiences in the sector, which, according to Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, is one of the state’s top economic drivers. Students may also have opportunities at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Operations Center, scheduled to open in 2027 at the Newport Naval Station. They will also have opportunities to rotate through different laboratory and training opportunities in a variety of STEM fields.
Salve president Dr. Kelli J. Armstrong said, “As a mercy institution we measure our success by the positive impact that our students and alumni have on the world, and this program directly aligns with our mission. The NSF funding will enable opportunities for hands-on experiences in STEM fields for students from all backgrounds. We are incredibly proud of this innovative program and inspired by the NSF’s commitment to create new pipelines of talent in much-needed research areas.”
Barbagallo added, “Students coming from economically disadvantaged schools don’t always have the opportunity to develop the skills they need to succeed in STEM in that first year of college. This program builds those structures to make sure they don’t fall through the cracks.”
Congratulations!!