SAC, Sul Ross share $5.5 million STEM grant

SAN ANTONIO, TX (Oct.  7, 2011)  – San Antonio College  (SAC) and Sul Ross State University together have received a $5.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students.  

 The partnership, called “Adelante Tejas” meaning Forward Texas, aims to increase STEM enrollment, retention, transfer and graduation among Hispanic and low-income students.

 “We are very proud to work with Sul Ross University on this grant project that will improve student support success particularly in Biology and the Physical Sciences,” said Dr. Robert Zeigler, president of San Antonio College.

  “This innovative partnership will transform STEM instruction and achievement for Hispanic and other underrepresented students, and accelerate their ability to complete a baccalaureate.” Zeigler said.

 This five-year grant from the Department of Education’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions STEM and Articulation program, in the amount of $1.14 million per budget period is expected to provide the following: 

§    Increases in STEM offerings at both institutions;

§    Early academic and career advising for STEM students;  

§    Expanded labs and increased tutoring hours;

§    New STEM academic and career planning workshops;

§    Research opportunities for SAC students at Sul Ross;

§    A joint summer field study research experience for SAC student at Sul Ross/Big Bend;

§    Establishment of at least nine STEM articulation agreements between SAC and Sul Ross;

§    Online and/or hybrid upper-level Geology and Biology courses for distance delivery to students in San Antonio from Sul Ross; and

 §    Contributions to endowments at both institutions for scholarship and STEM program improvement.

 Grant funds will also be used to expand science and math facilities at SAC such as the Math Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Center, MathSpace, and BioSpot.       

 For more information, call Barbara Knotts, director of Adelante Tejas for SAC, 210-486-0593.

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