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At Mount Saint Mary’s, 68 percent of students are the first in their families to attend college — and their families play a vital role in their academic success. That is why Mount Saint Mary’s was honored to receive a six-year, $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to provide scholarships to first-generation students majoring in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) degrees, while also engaging their families to support the students’ academic success.

Launched less than a year ago, the prestigious NSF S-STEM grant project is already making an impact in the academic journeys of high-achieving underresourced students by funding scholarships, research stipends and summer research projects.

“These scholarships are immensely beneficial to these students, many of whom have had to work to support themselves or their families,” says Paul Lee, PhD, associate professor of physical sciences and mathematics and principal investigator for the project.

Another key factor of the grant is providing support that emphasizes family engagement, such as a campus-wide family weekend where students and their families can connect with faculty, tour labs and classroom spaces and learn about ongoing research at the Mount. For those who are the first in their families to attend college, their families may not understand the workload demands and commitment necessary to graduate. “By getting families involved, we can explain the expectations and challenges of being a student, celebrate their achievements, and find out how we can better support them,” says Paul.

The program will also explore the impact of family engagement on graduation and retention rates. The successful implementation of this program could serve as a model for colleges and universities across the nation. “Through evidence-based research, this project strives to enhance student retention and graduation rates in a variety of STEM fields at Mount Saint Mary University, serving as inspiration to other institutions across the nation,” says Connie K. Della-Piana, PhD, program director of NSF Scholarships in STEM program.

This new grant will build upon the success of a previous STEM-focused grant, which supported numerous student initiatives and programs, including the Daniel Stogryn Award for Excellence in Research and the Mary’s Day Award in Physics, Outstanding Leader Award.

In addition, this NSF S-STEM grant will offer mentoring and the opportunity for STEM students to participate in research projects and national conferences. “With these opportunities, students are entering a larger scientific community of scholars,” says Paul. “They can attend a conference in Washington, DC, and network with other students from across the US, share their experiences, and create a national support system.”