ST. PHILIP’S COLLEGE AWARDED NEARLY $400,000 GRANT FROM NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Money will fund recruitment and retention of minority students in STEM disciplines

SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 9, 2009) --- The National Science Foundation has awarded a $396,648 grant to St. Philip’s College to help recruit, retain and educate minority students for careers in science, technology, engineering and math through a program titled “Project GeNex: Educating the Next Generation of STEM Professionals."

“As the former Chief Education Officer for NASA, I experienced first-hand the incredible need and importance of directing more minority students toward high-tech careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics or STEM fields,” said Dr. Adena Williams Loston, president of St. Philip’s College. “Today’s announcement provides the much needed resources to achieve our objectives and encourage more minority students to pursue STEM careers.”

The grant spans two years and targets a diverse student population that includes: full-time and part-time students, recent high school graduates and non-traditional students, males and females, whites, African-Americans, and Hispanics, Pell and non-Pell eligible students, and physically challenged students.

“Science, technology and math (STEM) education are critical to national security, economic strength, and quality health care,” said Congressman Lamar Smith. “I support students’ involvement in the sciences and believe young people of all backgrounds should be encouraged to study and pursue careers in these fields. St. Philip’s is a worthy recipient of this federal funding to support minority students and to strengthen our workforce competitiveness.”

Project GeNex strives to improve STEM education at St. Philip’s College and increase the number of STEM professionals in the nation’s workforce. Three objectives are targeted to achieve this goal: increase high school student recruitment, increase student retention, and increase graduation and transfer rates of STEM students. The transfer students are directed toward four-year institutions where they will complete undergraduate degrees in STEM disciplines. Articulation agreements with several universities are established to streamline student transfer.

“This grant will help fund scholarships for STEM students, STEM student support services, technology infusion into the classroom, curriculum enhancements, and professional development for some SPC faculty and some secondary STEM faculty,” said Herbert Pennick, associate professor of mathematics at St. Philip’s and the grant’s project manager.

Project GeNex is supported by St. Philip’s strategic plan to strengthen academic standards for diverse and academically-prepared students and provide quality student services. The project is also aligned with the Alamo Community College District’s participation in the Lumina Foundation for Education Achieving the Dream, an initiative to increase the academic success of low-income and minority students in gatekeeper courses.

About St. Philip’s: Bishop James Steptoe Johnston of the St. Philip’s Episcopal Church of the West Texas Diocese founded Alamo Colleges—St. Philip’s College in 1898. Today, Alamo Colleges—St. Philip’s College is a multi-campus institution of the Alamo Colleges and serves a semester enrollment of nearly 10,000 credit and more than 6,000 continuing education students. Alamo Colleges—St. Philip’s is a Historically Black College and Hispanic Serving Institution and is the only college in the nation that carries this dual designation. As “A Point of Pride in the Community,” Alamo Colleges—St. Philip’s College is among the oldest and most diverse community colleges in the United States.