Expanding STEM Pathways

Florida Atlantic University’s Graduate College and Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, in partnership with Florida Memorial University, recently earned a $75,000 planning grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to build collaborative research and access to graduate education.

The initiative aims to bridge the gap between bachelor’s and master’s programs in biology and environmental sciences, focused on improving access and fostering collaborative research.

The planning grant, part of Sloan Foundation’s 'Creating Exceptional Pathways to STEM Graduate Education' program, provides funding for collaborative efforts between institutions. It supports the development of strategic plans to enhance student pathways to graduate degrees. This grant reflects the Sloan Foundation's commitment to increasing access to STEM fields by leveraging the expertise of faculty to foster collaborative education and research environments.

"This initiative lays the foundation for a long-term partnership that will open doors for Florida Memorial students to pursue advanced degrees in areas of environmental, ocean, and geosciences at Florida Atlantic," said Robert Stackman Jr., Ph.D., dean of the Graduate College at Florida Atlantic. "By addressing barriers to success, we can create sustainable pathways for the next generation of environmental leaders."

Transformative Steps

The one-year planning grant will support efforts to strengthen the transition from undergraduate to graduate studies by identifying barriers and creating clear academic pathways. The initiative emphasizes stakeholder engagement, future program development and collaborative research to build institutional capacity and support student success in STEM fields.

Recognizing the critical importance of environmental science, Florida Atlantic recently established the School of Environmental, Coastal and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) to coordinate research and training that addresses pressing issues such as climate change, conservation and sustainability.

The initiative aim is to prepare students to take on these challenges by combining the strengths of both institutions, and equipping students with the skills and experiences needed to lead and innovate in the field. “ECOS is very proud to partner with FMU and the Sloan Foundation in training the next generation of environmental scientists,” said John Baldwin, Ph.D., interim director, ECOS. “We look forward to a very successful and productive collaboration between programs and institutions.”

A Vision for Growth

While the grant currently funds a one-year planning phase, both institutions are committed to exploring additional funding opportunities to sustain and expand the program. The initiative has the potential to serve as a national model for partnerships between minority-serving institutions and research universities, promoting systemic change and advancement in STEM education, according to Stackman.

"We hope this initiative inspires others to invest in improving pathways to graduate degrees," Stackman said. "Together, we can build the next generation’s talented workforce dedicated to solving the environmental challenges."