Fairmont State University receives funding for student initiatives from local corporations

Fairmont State University received $20,000 from the FirstEnergy Foundation and $10,000 from the EQT Foundation to support STEM summer camps for 10th and 11th graders and the university's Student Professionals Corps (SPC), which itself was founded through a Title III Strengthening Institutions Program from the U.S. Department of Education.

Over the summer, the university hosted two STEM-focused camps for 10th and 11th graders: STEMpact Camp and Aerospace Careers & Engineering (SPACE) Camp. These residential summer camps provided high schoolers with immersive STEM education opportunities, college readiness activities, and the opportunity to explore future careers in science, math, engineering, technology, and healthcare. The grant funding from the FirstEnergy Foundation and the EQT Foundation helped cover costs associated with hosting these camps, including scholarships, housing and meal costs, and necessary materials and supplies.

In an article on Fairmont State University’s website, Todd Ensign, Ed.D., who serves as a STEM Outreach Specialist, was quoted as saying of the funding, “Thanks to the support from the FirstEnergy and EQT Foundations, we were able to dramatically lower the cost of participation for SPACE Camp. In our fifth year, we had a strong following, with half of our 24 students returning year after year to engage in a rotating STEM topic.”

Stephanie Jones, an Associate Professor of Mathematics Education, noted, “This funding allowed us to provide high school students with a preview of what further study in a STEM field could look like. It also supported our goal of helping students develop a network of peers, undergraduate students, and faculty members who could encourage them as they completed high school and considered higher education.”

The funding also supported the SPC, which provides students with on-campus employment opportunities that align with their post-graduation career plans. The grants from the FirstEnergy Foundation and the EQT Foundation provided funding for marketing for SPC to make sure students are aware of the program and what it can provide.

Nicole Samson, who serves as a Career Connections Coordinator, said, “As the SPC Project Lead, I was excited to provide students with opportunities to develop workplace skills relevant to their future careers. Participation in this program helped students build confidence, distinguish themselves from their peers, and prepare for the transition from the classroom to the workforce. The SPC also offered meaningful work experiences that provided financial support to students as they pursued their undergraduate degrees.”

For more information about Fairmont State University, visit the school’s website.