Feds award KCK college $745K+ to boost 30 low-income STEM students working toward biology degrees
December 1, 2022 | Startland News Staff
A National Science Foundation grant is expected to support the retention and graduation of high-achieving, low-income STEM students, said U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, announcing the award.
Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) is set to receive $745,635 to fund scholarships — over the next five years — for 30 full-time students who are pursuing a degree with a biology emphasis, Davids detailed.
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas
“As someone who worked multiple jobs to help pay my way through community college, I understand the huge difference this scholarship will make for these 30 KCKCC students,” she said. “I’m excited for the new support and mentorship opportunities the students will receive and applaud KCKCC’s dedication to diversifying their academic programs.”
The funding announced Thursday benefits KCKCC’s Building Biologists Using Assets for Scholar Success project, which works to increase graduation rates and pathways to the STEM workforce by linking scholarships with effective support services for low-income students.
The program’s services include mentoring, undergraduate research experiences, internship opportunities, and participation in presentations and workshops that showcase the demands and rewards of a career in STEM.
Click here to learn more about KCKCC’s award and the Building Biologists Using Assets for Scholar Success project.
“Kansas City Kansas Community College is excited to boost biology careers through student scholarships provided by the National Science Foundation grant,” said Dr. Greg Mosier, president of KCKCC. “This is an important opportunity to advance STEM careers in the state. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in this initiative.”
Sharice Davids tours KCKCC’s Automation Engineering Technology Program in March; photo courtesy of Sharice Davids’ Office
In August, Davids announced a similar NSF award of $1.4 million for Johnson County Community College’s STEM Scholars Program. The effort shares the mission of KCKCC’s — supporting low-income, high-achieving students in the STEM field, according to Davids’ office.
Other funding support for education and STEM workforce in the Kansas Third District includes previously announced federal funding to improve college readiness through KCKCC’s Upward Bound program and securing $1.9 million for their Automation Engineering Technology Program, allowing students to train on new, real-life automation equipment as they prepare to enter the manufacturing workforce.
Featured Business
2022 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
From Google to KC, Beth Ellyn McClendon’s advice to startups: Test everything
Don’t fall in love with an idea, Beth Ellyn McClendon said. “Test everything, especially your assumptions, and allow yourself to be persuaded by data,” said McClendon, a seed investor who formerly worked with Google, Android, YouTube, Cisco and Netscape. “Try to remember — tattoo it on your eyelids if you have to – anecdotes are not…
Bodyrite duo cooks meal prep into personal training concept
Don’t just go with the flow at a traditional gym, Jamil Nelson said. Go with Flo. “Treadmills and ellipticals are pretty archaic to us,” said Nelson — or “Mr. Bodyrite” to his wife, Florese. “A jump rope is way better because it’s going to blow up your heart rate.” Modern workouts are all about functional,…
Tech tracks workplace bias: It exists ‘whether you want to face it or not’
During a summer internship with a large Kansas City corporation, college student Louis Byrd was unexpectedly called into the HR office. Although the incident was about 10 years ago today, it has not yet left his mind, Byrd said. “I’ll never forget this,” he said. “HR told me that the people on my team had…
EyeVerify explains why it changed name to Zoloz
More than two months after revealing a curious name change, EyeVerify is offering details behind its evolution to become “Zoloz.” The fast-growing biometrics tech firm announced in August that it was rebranding as Zoloz, but initially offered little information about the reason for or meaning behind the name change. Headquartered in downtown Kansas City, a…