Immediate:  July 18, 2022

SUNY Nassau Community College Receives $5 million National Science Foundation Grant (NSF)

SUNY Nassau and Hofstra University awarded grant to
improve STEM Education

Garden City, New York – SUNY Nassau Community College (NCC) and Hofstra University have been awarded a six-year, $5 million NSF grant to create a program that will improve STEM education by providing scholarships, mentoring and research opportunities to high-achieving students in underserved communities.

The new program will focus on students from Freeport, Hempstead, Roosevelt and Uniondale, who will begin their studies at NCC and finish their bachelor’s degree at Hofstra. In addition to scholarships, the program includes a range of academic support services and enrichment opportunities provided by faculty from both institutions.

“This collaboration between the Hofstra and Nassau Community faculty makes the move between institutions much easier for students,” said Jessica Santangelo, associate professor of biology at Hofstra and co-principal investigator for the NSF grant. “Additionally, they will have access to career counseling, research and networking opportunities, and have mentors among their more senior classmates.”

“I am looking forward to working closely with Dr. Santangelo and her Hofstra colleagues in kicking off this NSF-funded program,” said Jacqueline Lee, Professor, Biology, NCC. “Both of our institutions will realize a new level of commitment in promoting STEM curriculum to produce future leaders in these fields as part of the joint grant mission.”

STEM studies include majors in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, psychology, geology, environment, and sustainability. Over the duration of the grant, 90 students will receive two-year scholarships to attend NCC, and then up to $10,000 per year for their studies at Hofstra.

These students will also have the opportunity to build their skills the summer before they start college, earning a stipend to work on research in the NCC labs. This will allow them to focus on academic pursuits without worrying about summer employment.

Dr. Santangelo and Jacqueline Lee, are leading a team of 13 faculty from both institutions who teach biology, chemistry, engineering, and education to administer the program.

The NSF grant is also underwriting workshops for STEM faculty from NCC and Hofstra to create pedagogical collaborations between the schools that ensure a seamless educational experience for students as they move between the institutions.

About Nassau Community College
Nassau Community College is an institution where nearly 14,000 full-time, part-time, workforce development, and continuing education students start and continue their successful journey through higher education. More than 80 fields of study are offered on a 225-acre campus located in the center of Long Island. As the largest single-campus two-year college in the New York State SUNY System, Nassau Community College offers high-quality education and excellent support services, providing students with a solid foundation for their future successes. Nassau Community College graduates join a network of hundreds of thousands, representing professionals in healthcare, legal, education, business, and government.

Media Contact:  Lindsey Angioletti | lindsey.angioletti@ncc.edu

ncc.edu/newsreleases
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