Jackson State University News September 21, 2015 JSU receives $2.98 million competitive ‘First in the World’ grant to enhance STEM experiences for students Jackson State University is the recipient of a $2.98 million “First in the World” (FITW) grant to promote and enhance science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) experiences for JSU students. The award was announced today by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in Washington, D.C., where a total of $60 million was awarded to 17 colleges, universities and organizations. The goals of JSU’s Integrated STEM Experience for All project are to improve teaching and learning in STEM disciplines, increase retention and graduation rates, increase STEM literacy and stimulate enthusiasm about STEM education at JSU. FITW supports postsecondary institutions’ efforts to develop new approaches that can expand college access and improve student learning while reducing costs. The program began in 2014 as part of President Barack Obama’s agenda<http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/01/27/everything-you-need-know-about-president-obamas-blueprint-college-affordability> to increase postsecondary access and completion. More than 300 applications were submitted for this year’s FITW grant competition. All funded FITW projects address at least one of the following priorities: increasing college access and completion, increasing community college transfer rates, increasing STEM enrollment and completion, and reducing time to completion. Over the next four years, teams of JSU students and faculty will engage in multidisciplinary research, STEM workshops, course redesign and other activities accelerating discovery and innovation. A total of 160 faculty and 1,280 students from various disciplines will be impacted. “This grant provides Jackson State University a unique opportunity to continue the great work we’ve begun in engaging more of our students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said JSU President Carolyn W. Meyers, a mechanical engineer. “This project is an extension of our efforts in cyber learning and quality and innovation in effective teaching. JSU is uniquely poised to lead in these areas because of our commitment to addressing challenges facing underrepresented students in all disciplines, especially STEM fields.” JSU has been designated as an Apple Distinguished School for 2013-2015 for innovation, leadership and educational excellence. Its iPad initiative provides iPads to all first-time, full-time freshmen, and the INNOVATE and CREATE centers allow faculty and students to engage in formal and informal digital learning opportunities. The FITW grant will help JSU stimulate student creativity and inquiry across disciplines, said Dr. Loretta Moore, vice president for research and federal relations. “While the highest concentration of majors who participate in undergraduate research come from STEM, this project will afford students in all disciplines an opportunity to participate in research and other collaborative projects with faculty leads,” Moore said. “This project aims to improve teaching and learning and student engagement in multidisciplinary research, innovation, education and engagement experiences in STEM.” This award represents the culmination of months of work by JSU’s leadership, senior personnel and research development officers. The leadership team and Steering Committee consist of: President Meyers, Dr. James C. Renick, provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs, Dr. Moore and Dr. Evelyn Leggette, associate vice president for academic affairs. Dr. Paul Tchounwou, associate dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, served as Principal Investigator and Project Director. U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (2nd Congressional District) said he’s thrilled that JSU received the grant to enhance STEM experiences. “This project will work to improve both teaching and learning in STEM disciplines and transform the institutional culture at JSU to stimulate enthusiasm about science, technology, engineering and mathematics. I am so very proud that JSU was one of only 17 institutions nationwide to receive the grant,” he said. 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 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree 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.