A mere 37 research universities across the nation were selected out of 207 applicant institutions to receive a portion of the $60m HHMI made available to fund projects.
There is a shortage of graduates with STEM-related degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Employers in diverse industries, from printing companies to pharmaceuticals, have vacant positions requiring individuals with STEM expertise. That gap between suitable job candidates and employer demand is currently on track to expand in coming years unless initiatives such as those proposed at the UK grant are successful.
For this grant, UK will partner with Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) to employ a series of strategies dubbed ‘STEMCats’ by the collaborating organizations, which will help prepare and support their enrollees throughout their college career starting at the freshman level.
Dr. Vincent Cassone, STEMCats project director and chair of UK’s Department of Biology, thinks the issue of low graduation rates, particularly among historically underrepresented ethnic groups, has to do with a lack of understanding about the exacting nature of college-level work. He opines:
"They have no idea what to expect.
"They just are not mentally and psychologically prepared for the challenges they face at the university level. The STEMCats initiatives are designed to help students get ready to succeed."