Fayetteville State University receives $2.3 million to advance STEM initiatives

HHistorically, black colleges and universities across the country have used the power of education as a means to advance diversity in STEM. Fayetteville State University was reward a multi-million dollar endowment from the National Institutes of Health to support scholars pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering and math.

The $2.3 million grant will be used to create scholarships for students from underserved communities. The funds will help cultivate the Undergraduate Research Training for Student Enhancement (U-RISE) Initiative, which was launched to align scholars from historically disenfranchised groups with the resources needed to thrive in the world. university and enter a doctorate based on biomedical research. programs.

The NIH grant was awarded to Dr. James E. Raynor Jr. who is a professor in the institution’s Department of Biological and Forensic Sciences. Under Dr. Raynor’s leadership, the school’s former initiative, FSU-RISE, has supported more than 300 disadvantaged students, many of whom have transitioned into prestigious medical programs at schools like Johns Hopkins University, ‘Cornell University and Harvard University.

Dr. Monica Leach, the institution’s provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, says the endowment will level the playing field in STEM through access and education. “FSU has worked hard to ensure students have access to everything they need to succeed,” Dr. Leach said in a statement. “Whether it’s reducing tuition fees or redesigning our organizational structure to better serve students, we believe in keeping the best interests of our students at the heart of what we do. This grant helps us take another step toward unfettered access to fields of study that have historically been inaccessible to students from underrepresented communities. We are excited about the promise that U-RISE holds for FSU students.

Many HBCUs have received grants to elevate their STEM education-centric programs. In February, North Carolina-based Livingstone College received a $2.24 million endowment from the National Science Foundation.

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