New grant will create scholarships for STEM students at Millikin

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — A grant from the National Science Foundation will establish a new scholarship program for students pursuing STEM fields at Millikin University.

The Big Blue STEM Scholars project will begin in the fall of 2025 and will provide scholarships to at least 15 unique full-time first-year or transfer students who are pursuing bachelor's degrees in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics over a six-year period.

The grant was prepared by Dr. Jenna Smith and Dr. Jennifer Schroeder from the School of Biological & Environmental Studies, Dr. Emily Olson from the School of Mathematics and Computational Sciences, and is led by the grant's Principal Investigator (PI), Dr. Kyle Knust, Director of the School of Chemistry & Physics.

“We hope to use this project to create a surge in STEM applicants, including students from groups underrepresented in STEM, to further strengthen STEM programs here at Millikin,” Knust said. “The overall goal of this project is to increase STEM degree completion of high-achieving undergraduates with a financial need so these graduates may pursue STEM careers.”

Scholars will engage with the broader Millikin STEM community through cohort-based coursework and participation in professional development events.

“Here in Decatur, we are surrounded by a wealth of STEM industries and have letters of collaboration with local and regional industry and government partners pledging to support the professional development aspects of Big Blue STEM Scholars, which includes laboratory site visits, guest speakers, and networking opportunities,” Knust said. “Importantly, these supportive opportunities will be available to Big Blue STEM Scholars and Millikin’s larger STEM student population.”

More information regarding the Big Blue STEM Scholars project can be found at millikin.edu/stemscholars.