North Carolina Central University (NCCU) announces a grant of $1.5 million from the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation for science and math student scholarships and program enhancements. The grant will assist NCCU in its efforts to increase the number of women and minority students who graduate with a STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) degree and pursue STEM careers.

The funding will underwrite scholarship support for four years for 40 STEM majors, along with student and faculty support services. Students will be assigned peer, faculty and professional mentors according to their goals and interests. They will take part in a learning community, live together in dedicated residential space and obtain professional internship experiences each summer. The grant will help to fund a new staff person to coordinate this program and recruit professionals to serve as mentors and provide internships.

“The intention is to surround these students with faculty and staff who demonstrate a passion and commitment to science education that will help carry them through these challenging programs,” said Chancellor Charlie Nelms. “We are so grateful to the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation for enabling us to differentiate and enhance our STEM programming in a way that benefits our students and faculty.”

Marilyn Foote-Hudson, executive director of the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation said, “At the NC GSK Foundation, we have a long history of furthering science education. We are especially proud that this funding will encourage women and minorities to successfully pursue STEM studies and careers.”

In addition to the recent award of $1.5 million to develop and implement a multi-year educational program to support STEM majors, NCCU has received the following grants from the NC GSK Foundation: read full