Lamar selected for Inclusive Excellence Initiative funding

Underserved students at Lamar University have the opportunity to compete for grant funding from the Howard Hughes Medial Institute following the university’s invitation to take part in the Inclusive Excellence program.
 
“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.