St. Thomas Aquinas College is proud to announce its involvement in a pioneering higher education initiative, which has secured a $3.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program.
Over the course of five years, this grant will fuel efforts to increase the presence of underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields across seven member institutions of the Lower Hudson Valley Catholic Colleges and Universities Consortium (LHVCCUC), a coalition comprising ten private Catholic colleges and universities in New York State.
This collaborative endeavor aims to nurture a new generation of STEM leaders and innovators by addressing the unique challenges faced by underrepresented minority students. Alongside St. Thomas Aquinas College, the alliance includes Molloy University, Manhattan College, Mount Saint Mary College, St. Francis College, St. John’s University, and St. Joseph’s University New York. St. Thomas Aquinas College President Ken Daly will serve on the initial advisory board in recognition of his extensive experience and leadership in STEM education and workforce development.
“We are delighted to receive our first-ever National Science Foundation grant and are deeply committed to the value of diverse learning experiences to the future of STEM education. Joining this groundbreaking collaboration has been an honor, and we are now excited to work with our higher education colleagues in this LHVCCUC alliance,” said St. Thomas Aquinas College President Ken Daly. “Together, we aspire to make a significant and lasting impact on the lives of underrepresented students in STEM, amplifying their STEM career opportunities here in New York.”
The LSAMP program will employ frameworks of intersectionality and a sense of belonging to create an inclusive and supportive environment for students. These frameworks will help address systemic and institutional barriers, ensuring that all students feel connected, valued, and supported within the campus community. Key components of the program include faculty-led research experiences, peer mentoring, individual and group tutoring, workshops and seminars, book and materials stipends, and support for internships, careers, and graduate school progression.
“Our participation in this initiative underscores our commitment to diversity and inclusion in STEM,” said Dr. Bianca Wentzell, Dean of STEM at St. Thomas Aquinas College. “By leveraging the unique strengths of each member institution, we aim to create a robust support system that will empower underrepresented students to thrive in STEM fields and pursue advanced studies and careers with confidence. We see this as a visionary program to help lead and grow the future of STEM.”