St. Mary’s University was awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Education through the Hispanic Serving Institutions – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (HSI-STEM) program. The University will receive more than $5.3 million for its Excellence in STEM Education program over five years between fall 2016 and fall 2021. The grant is intended to support STEM education at St. Mary’s and provide a strong boost to the implementation of the University’s strategic vision for the School of Science, Engineering and Technology.
Goals
The HSI STEM — Excellence in STEM Education program has the following overarching goals:
- Increase the number of Hispanic and/or socioeconomically disadvantaged students enrolling and persisting in STEM fields of study
- Develop new STEM programs and strengthen existing academic courses
- Increase capacity to connect students to STEM educational opportunities
- Improve STEM laboratory facilities
- Promote best practices in student services: advising, coaching, and social and academic support
Areas of Focus
To accomplish the HSI STEM — Excellence in STEM Education initiatives, the grant will assist St. Mary’s University in funding:
- The enhancement of the Forensic Science program
- The creation of a Bioinformatics program
- Streamlined transfer services for STEM students at the Alamo Colleges
- Coaching services for Hispanic and/or low-income STEM majors
- Renovation and equipment for Biology and Chemistry laboratories
- A system for connecting STEM students to industry projects and research
Project Staff
Jennifer Morris
Activity Coordinator
210-431-6750
Geetu Rajpal
Data Analyst
210-431-6751
David Turner, Ph.D.
Project Director
210-436-3235
David Zeff
STEM Coach
210-431-6570
Jennifer Harr, Ph.D.
Forensic Science Specialist
210-431-2215
Erika Schwarz Taylor
Bioinformatics Specialist
210-431-6752
Steve Smith
Lab Technician
210-431-3667