That illustrates the significance of grants such as that received by Elms College in Chicopee, which was awarded $1.5 million by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Training in STEM fields is not limited to the major research universities. Small, private colleges are also expanding their courses of studies, and also reaching out to demographic groups not traditionally associated with these majors.
Elms will roll out this grant in the spring semester, and have it fully in place for fall of 2023. According to Joyce Hampton, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, the college has a track record that appealed to the NSF.
“We had another grant in 2014 that was very successful, with high graduation rates and job placement. What was unique about this new grant was that they built transfers into the program,” Hampton said.
As four-year colleges expand pathways for community college graduates, it’s natural these grants follow the trend. Three of every four Elms students in the program, which is aimed at transfers and first-year students, have completed community college.
The grant will offer need-based scholarship aid to approximately 40 students per year, and extend for as long as they’re at the college. According to Hoffman, professor of computer science, about $500,000 will go toward internships, campus research, experiential learning and summer jobs with an emphasis on data service skills.
“The goal is to remove financial barriers in particular for female or people of color in computer science or other STEM fields. We need that STEM force,” Hoffman said.
Always a technology leader, Massachusetts has a rare opportunity. An expanded, diverse workforce with STEM training will put the state ahead of the curve in filling these skilled jobs.
As the job market evolves, the state and particularly Western Massachusetts are fortunate to be home to so many high-quality community colleges and four-year institutions. There will be no better response to the challenge of competition from other states than having a skilled workforce, trained and educated in our own.
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