“This is a great opportunity for Lamar University to affect science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education at all levels in Southeast Texas,” Lamar associate professor of mathematics Jennifer Daniel said. “Lamar has a diverse student population and consists of many students that are traditionally underserved in the STEM fields.”
Underserved students included older students, minorities, veterans, first-generation college students, active duty military, foster youth, parents who need child care, transfer students and low-income students. Lamar is one of 91 schools invited to take part in the initiative, which were selected from a pool of 511.
HHMI will award up to 30 grants in its first round, which will begin in September 2017, followed by a further 30 grants in a second round. In total, the institute has made $60 million in funding available.
“Lamar can implement substantive change by participating in a self-study that includes examining underserved students access to active and collaborative learning experiences, to mentor relationships, and to participation in High Impact Practice,” Daniel said.