West Virginia University Institute of Technology professor receives National Science Foundation grant
The $100,000 grant will allow for more achievement and opportunities for students across Appalachia in STEM fields.
West Virginia University Institute of Technology Associate Professor of Biology and Microbiology Aida Jimenez Esquilin, Ph.D. has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to help provide more opportunities for Appalachian students to achieve their STEM education goals.
According to an article on West Virginia University Institute of Technology’s website, Jimenez Esquilin explained the project and the impact it will have on students in the region, saying, “It starts with figuring out what our students need based on their experiences. We take that information and use it to create a framework which can guide other institutions interested in this kind of project. This is a big step toward strengthening STEM in Appalachia and making sure more students have a chance to succeed.”
The project involves Jimenez Esquilin working with other instructors at partner institutions to gather data about students and the challenges they face while living in Appalachia, and then using that data to inform the way the STEM curriculum is built at universities in the area, as well as provide recommendations about support networks that should be put into place for students to navigate the college experience and financial aid processes.
The partners Jimenez Esquilin will be working with on the project include Robert Niichel, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Fairmont State University, and Sara Sawyer, Ph.D., a Professor of Biology at Glenville State University. Joining them will be Sue Heatherly and Sarah Riley of First2 Network, which is, according to its website, and organization which is a network of over “1000 people and 30 organizations working to increase the number of college graduates in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to strengthen our communities and drive an innovation economy in West Virginia and beyond,” placing a special emphasis on rural, low-income, and underrepresented students.
Jimenez Esquilin said, “This isn’t about just helping WVU Tech. We’re trying to develop a model that can be replicated across the state and the country. We can’t underestimate the importance that STEM education plays in our lives, and it’s only going to become more critical in the future.”
For more information about West Virginia University Institute of Technology, visit the school’s website.