As part of Rockhurst University’s ongoing commitment to support students and their financial needs, the SMART-STEM (Scholarships and Mentoring to Advance Retention and Training in STEM) scholarship program will be implemented effective the fall semester of 2024, which distributes $1 million amongst deserving incoming freshmen and transfer students pursuing careers in biology, chemistry or physics.
Going to a private Jesuit university, specifically Rockhurst, has many advantages, such as the quality of education and a strong sense of community. However, it is essential to acknowledge that these advantages come at a steep price, with a base tuition exceeding $40,000 per year.
The mission to combat students’ financial needs and make Rockhurst more accessible has led to the creation of the SMART-STEM scholarship. The primary objective of this scholarship program is to offer vital support to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) students with financial need, ensuring that they can successfully complete their four-year undergraduate degrees.
This extraordinary initiative is set to benefit up to 10 students over a total of six years, with the scholarship totaling a substantial $1 million of grant funding from the National Science Foundation. The SMART-STEM scholarships can be tailored to accommodate students’ specific financial needs, reaching a maximum value of up to $15,000.
While both transfer students and incoming freshmen are eligible for this scholarship, there is a difference in the duration for which they are granted this support. Transfer students receive the scholarship for a period of up to two years, while incoming freshmen can utilize the program for up to four years.
Additional components to confirm the advancement of these students is a faculty and peer mentorship program along with fostering camaraderie among its recipients. This camaraderie is achieved through a range of engaging activities, including those centered on diversity, inclusion and mental health training. These activities provide recipients with a platform to form close connections with one another while simultaneously preparing for their future careers.
Dr. Mayuri Gihooly, distinguished professor in the physics department at Rockhurst and grant application developer, highlights the significant and positive impact that the SMART-STEM scholarship will have on the institution as a whole.
“The SMART-STEM scholarship will be an attraction for STEM students to come to Rockhurst University, as the scholarship aims students to graduate with career support, provides students with equipment for education, and mentorship in finding jobs,” said Gihooly.
The SMART-STEM scholarship, with its multi-faceted approach, truly represents a significant step towards making higher education more accessible and supportive for STEM students at Rockhurst University.
