Vermont EPSCoR Awards $35,000 in STEM Scholarships
From left to right: Wen Le, Katie Lucier, Chris Kombo, Vermont ACCD Secretary Lindsay Kurrle, Vermont EPSCoR Project Director Arne Bomblies, Cameron Rediker, Skyleigh Bickings (not shown: Melinda Hurlburt, Mariame Yangambi, CWDD Coordinator Veronica Sosa-Gonzalez, PhD)
Seven STEM Scholarships were awarded to meritorious Native American, BIPOC and First Generation Vermonters pursuing a Science, Technology, Engineer or Math (STEM) Major at a Vermont Higher Education Institution. The scholarships were awarded during the Vermont EPSCoR All Hands Meeting held at the University of Vermont Davis Center on August 9, 2021.
This year's recipients are enrolled, or will be enrolling, at St. Michael's College, Northern Vermont University, the University of Vermont and Community College of Vermont with majors in Neuroscience, Physics, Biology, Environmental Sciences and Behavioral Science.
Lindsay Kurrle, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, joined Dr. Veronica Sosa-Gonzalez, VT EPSCoR Center for Workforce Development and Diversity Coordinator in conveying the awards. During the ceremony, Secretary Kurrle said “Partnering with our higher education institutions for workforce development has always been an important feature of Vermont's economic growth strategy and the VT EPSCoR Program embodies just that with its network and collaborative approach. It is truly inspiring to see the 10 years of investment in activities that have supported the advancement of science and water quality research and how it is so closely aligned with supporting the STEM workforce. My team at the Agency of Commerce and Community Development recognize how valuable our young people are to our state. The Vermont EPSCoR program and its CWDD at St. Michael's College and supported by the UVM is helping us to do that each and every day by building and educating great people, encouraging them to stay in Vermont.
With this year's awardees, VT EPSCoR has awarded a total of 66 scholarships to meritorious undergraduates attending Vermont colleges or universities since 2012. The scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic standing, letters of recommendation and an essay detailing career goals. Applications open in December and close on April. For more information about the scholarships visit: epscor.w3.uvm.edu/?node=5688.