Madison Reporter

Madison College has received a $1 million National Science Foundation grant to enhance its efforts in promoting equity in STEM fields. By offering a scholarship program for talented, low-income students, hosting awareness-raising events, and leveraging the Madison College STEM Center for mentorship and research opportunities, the project aims to increase the recruitment, retention, and workforce transition of underrepresented students.

The grant will provide at least 25 full-ride scholarships to students in the STEM Transfer or Information Technology programs. The project also seeks to establish an ecosystem that supports career development and contributes to a more diverse and competitive STEM workforce, leading to more STEM education and career opportunities for historically marginalized students.

Dr. Kit Carlson, STEM Center Director, emphasized the goal of the college's initiatives under the NSF grant funding. “We’re so honored to receive an NSF S-STEM grant at Madison College," Carlson said. "Through this work, we’ll be able to make a real difference in how we recruit, retain, and support STEM students. We’re confident that the impact on student success will be profound, helping to build a diverse and well-prepared STEM workforce."

The grant will also support research into effective ways to help students succeed in science and technology careers. By partnering with local industries, academic institutions, and community organizations, the goal is to make a lasting impact on institutional practices and student success, promoting equity and access within STEM education at Madison College. The grant was awarded in August 2024 and will continue through 2030.

Madison College is recognized as a beacon of accessible STEM education in south-central Wisconsin and was designated as a regional tech hub by the Biden-Harris administration in 2023. Since opening in 2018, the Madison College STEM Center has established strong partnerships with industries such as EPIC and Immuto Scientific; academic institutions like UW Carbone Cancer Center and UW-Madison Data Science Institute; and community partners including Maydm and Badgerland Girl Scouts.

The grant's principal investigator is Dr. Kit Carlson, with co-principal investigators Elise Van Ginkel, Ken McCullough, Angela Yang, and Dr. Kevin Mirus. The Madison College Grants Office Team provided excellent support for the team.

Find more information on Madison College Stem Center.

"We’re so honored to receive an NSF S-STEM grant at Madison College," Carlson said. "Through this work we’ll be able to make a real difference in how we recruit retain and support STEM students We’re confident that the impact on student success will be profound helping to build a diverse well-prepared workforce."