UMBC get 987K grant

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) has been awarded a $987,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the Bridge to Doctorate Program (BD) to increase the quality and quantity of underrepresented minorities completing doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

Senator Barbara Mikulski, Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, which funds the NSF, had this to say:

"Education is the opportunity ladder of this nation and higher education is a critical rung in that ladder. STEM graduates are in demand to fill jobs now. Every student deserves a chance to excel in those fields. Maryland has the resources and the infrastructure to guarantee any student a rich experience, not to mention job prospects. I'm proud to put funds in the federal checkbook to ensure that Maryland continues to be a leader in preparing our future workforce for jobs today and jobs tomorrow."

"America's future depends on our ability to embrace high-tech education and training needed for jobs in the 21st Century," said Senator Cardin. "Under Dr. [Freeman] Hrabowski's leadership, UMBC has become nationally recognized for its science, math and engineering programs and this grant will ensure that the university is able to provide more students with the tools they need to get the highly skilled, technical jobs that are needed in the future."

Dr. Hrabowski is one of the nation's foremost leading educators in closing the gap for minority students. He recently was tapped by the prestigious National Academies to lead a committee dedicated to increasing minority students in math and science education, and was named as one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People.

UMBC is the lead institution of the University System of Maryland Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, along with University of Maryland, College Park and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.