Elizabeth City State University News June 11, 2012 Butterfield applauds HHS for math and science grant to ECSU By Kesha Williams Congressman G. K. Butterfield recently applauded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for its grant of $309,232 to Elizabeth City State University (ECSU). The grant, Elizabeth City State University Minority Access to Research Careers (E-MARC), will be used to increase minority access to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. "For generations minority students have been underrepresented in the mathematics and science fields. Programs such as E-MARC address the need to balance the disproportionate rate and reflect the changing cultural fabric of our society," said Butterfield. "I would like to commend the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for taking a vested interest in the students of ECSU as they work to bridge the gap of minorities pursuing doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines." The Elizabeth City State University MARC Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (E-MARC U*STAR) program is designed to increase acceptance rates of its participants and non-participants into research intensive institutions by increasing students' competitiveness through rigorous academic pursuits and summer research internships as preparation for research careers. This grant has targeted 16 research intensive institutions as external research training sites for the proposed E-MARC U*STAR participants as well as prospective institutions for their PhD education. This project will support eight trainees and they will receive each year, tuition, monthly stipend and additional training expenses. Dr. Ali Khan, provost and vice chancellor of Academic Affairs at ECSU, says this grant will open additional doors for future research for participating students. "ECSU students selected for the MARC program during their junior and senior years will receive individualized program support to enhance their chances of admission to competitive graduate degree programs. They will have access to special MARC courses and workshops in various aspects of responsible conduct of research and research ethics. In addition, support will be provided to attend and participate in local and national scientific meetings where MARC students present research results along with professional scientists," Khan said. Program participants are undergraduate students with a 3.50 grade point average or above working toward a math or science degree. The program provides support to minority students in STEM majors to prepare them as competitive applicants for entry into doctoral programs. Services include participation in academic enhancement activities and summer research internship opportunities. E-MARC programming is a subsidiary of the MARC Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (U-STAR) Awards. Students are selected for the E-MARC program during their final two years of undergraduate education to begin preparation for graduate level curricula. Revised press release appears courtesy of the office of U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2012meeting-form.html for the October 21-23, 2012 HBCU Library Alliance 5th Membership Meeting and the Photographic Preservation Pre-Conference in New Orleans, LA. The Pre-Conference and Membership meeting are open to directors and other librarians.