$1.5 million grant funds scholarships in STEM

The National Science Foundation has awarded FIU $1.5 million in scholarships to help mathematics and statistics students complete their degrees.
 
The Joint Applied Math and Statistics Scholarship program (JAMS at FIU) is directed by Mathematics and Statistics Professor Svetlana Roudenko, who is working with the FIU Office of Financial Aid to recruit eligible undergraduate and graduate students based on financial need and academic merit.
 
The program is designed to impact students, especially those from groups historically underrepresented in math and statistics, at all levels of their collegiate careers through what is called a vertical integration approach — providing support for students to make progress toward graduation. It leverages existing institutional efforts including research experiences for undergraduates, directed reading program and math student club to support the cohorts.
 
“This approach will promote camaraderie and cohesiveness that will make the students’ own successes a team endeavor,” Roudenko said.
 
The program is led by FIU mathematicians and statisticians who have extensive teaching, mentoring and research experience.

“Our team consists of all-female faculty, which was specifically noted by NSF as this is something which rarely happens in the mathematics discipline, as female faculty are still largely underrepresented in mathematics,” said Roudenko, who is also director of the NSF-funded Applied Mathematics Research Program for Undergraduates at FIU.

The grant is part of the NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM) Program which addresses the need for a high-quality STEM workforce in areas of national priorities. In addition to funding scholarships, the program provides funds to establish high-quality, evidence-based curricular and co-curricular activities supporting student success leading to graduation and future careers within the STEM workforce.