South Carolina State University Grabs $8 million Allocation for STEM Research
Columbia, SC – An Impressive State Investment in Future Generation
South Carolina State University is set to receive a whopping $8 million state allocation earmarked for innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) research and Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) workforce development. The fund has been allocated from an initial $40 million proviso, with the University set to receive additional funding upon meeting set objectives.
Creating Opportunities for Revolutionary STEM Research
This significant investment has the potential to take the University’s education and research to new heights within their College of Science Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Transportation (STEM-T College). Being an agent of change, this fund will greatly bolster the University’s research initiatives and improve the marketability of its graduates in STEM-related fields.
SC State President Alexander Conyers expressed his gratitude to Gov. Henry McMaster and the General Assembly, acknowledging this fund allocation as a visionary milestone. A sentiment supported by SC State Provost, Dr. Frederick Evans who stated, “This investment underscores the state’s commitment to preparing our students for the jobs of tomorrow, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving STEM world.”
Supporting Innovations to Drive Economic Success
According to Elbert R. Malone, SC State associate provost for research and sponsored programs, this funding will enable the University to support employment of 12 new research faculty members, provide scholarships and internships for undergraduates, establish three centers of excellence and two pre-college institutes and make significant enhancements to their STEM labs.
“These funds will be transformational to the STEM-T College because it will provide an opportunity to build a robust research infrastructure that will allow the university to compete in the research arena on national and international levels,” remarks Malone regarding the future prospects the allocation brings.
Innovation to Drive Further Opportunities
The faculty members are expected to dedicate 75% of their time to research and the rest to instruction. There is also an expectation that these members would secure their individual research funding once this grant expires, thereby helping sustain the momentum of this initiative. As part of the long-term vision, president Conyers has set a goal for SC State to acquire Research II (R2) status, opening up even more possibilities for research funding.
SC State has a rich history of being the only institution in South Carolina and the nation’s only HBCU (Historically black colleges and universities) offering a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering which, coupled with the significance of its contribution to SRNL makes this funding vital.
The groundbreaking and transformative power of this allocation marks a crucial point in STEM education and research in South Carolina and the prospects it holds for shaping the future is immense.
