Empowering Underrepresented Students in STEM: A $3.2 Million Grant to Promote Diversity and Inclusion at Texas State University

Carlton J. Fong, Ph.D., an Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction, along with Kristy Daniel, Ph.D., has secured a grant of over $3.2 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). The purpose of this grant is to support the learning of more than 2,000 undergraduate students in science-related classes. This five-year grant includes a sub-award of $591,652 to Texas State University.

The main goal of this project is to study whether specific interventions that encourage student agency and engagement can help underrepresented undergraduate students achieve long-term success in science courses. Erika Patall, Ph.D., from the University of Southern California, is the principal investigator of this project. Carlton J. Fong, Ph.D., and Kristy Daniel, Ph.D., will be serving as the site investigators for Texas State University.

The research project aims to explore how targeted interventions can impact student learning outcomes and engagement in science classes. By understanding the factors that contribute to the success of underrepresented undergraduate students in science courses, the project aims to develop strategies that can support these students throughout their academic journey. With a focus on fostering student agency and empowerment, this project hopes to create a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for all students.

The five-year grant will provide funding for faculty development workshops, mentoring programs for underrepresented students, and professional development opportunities for faculty members at Texas State University.

The project will also involve collecting data on student outcomes such as academic achievement, retention rates, and career goals to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving student engagement and success in science courses.

Overall, this grant will have a significant impact on promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM fields by providing resources and support for underrepresented students at Texas State University.

Carlton J. Fong said “This grant will allow us to provide additional resources and support for our undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing careers in STEM fields.” He further added “We believe that by empowering these students through targeted interventions we can help them achieve long term success in their academic journey.”