A reception was held on Lee’s campus to honor the iMASS Scholars. Pictured, front row from left, are Dr. Blayne Carroll, Dr. Sherry Kasper, Peer Mentor Dani Lin, Lauren Wood, Jessica Mitchum, Amy Carpenter and Peer Mentor Brett Buckner. Back row, from left, are Genevieve Ellison, Loren Garcia, Lydia Brown (alternate), Alexis Wright and Dr. Sarah Schlosser. Not pictured are iMASS scholar Jesus Torres, Jr., and Rachel Williams (alternate).
The National Science Foundation awarded Lee University a $600,000 grant that will provide scholarships and educational opportunities to Lee students majoring in science and mathematics. The award was made through the federal agency's Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (S-STEM) program. This grant will fund a new Lee program which will be called “iMASS Scholars.”
The iMASS Scholars program is for rising second-year students in the sciences and mathematics who are both academically talented and financially qualified. Scholars will receive a total of $20,000 in scholarships over three years. The goal of the program is to increase the number of exceptional students who earn a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry and mathematics. These students will be prepared to enter competitive graduate programs or employment in STEM-related fields. Five cohorts of Scholars will be supported over the course of the grant program.
The new Lee program will also offer faculty and peer mentoring and direct exposure to research opportunities and internships. Student will work with regional research institutions and STEM-related industries in collaborative teams of math and science students.
The iMASS Scholars program was designed and is directed by three Lee University faculty: Dr. Sherry Kasper, associate professor of biology; Dr. Blayne Carroll, professor of mathematics; and Dr. Sarah Schlosser, assistant professor of chemistry.
“The iMASS Scholars program will be invaluable to our science and mathematics majors by allowing them to focus on their academics and offering them opportunities which will greatly improve their chances of placement into a graduate program,” said Dr. Kasper.
This year’s participants are Amy Carpenter, a mathematics major; Genevieve Ellison, Loren Garcia, Jessica Mitchum, and Jesus Torres, Jr, all biology majors; Lauren Wood, a mathematics major; and Alexis Wright, a biochemistry major.
Industry partners that have signed on to support the project include Bayer Health Care, the Chattanooga Zoo, Lonza, Manufacturers Chemicals, and Wacker Polysilicon. Institutional partners are Oak Ridge National Labs, the University of TN Industrial and Systems Engineering Program, the University of TN Graduate School of Genome Science and Technology, and Vanderbilt University’s Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery.
“These partners will provide opportunities for iMASS participants to learn more about STEM-related careers and programs, including guest speakers on campus, site visits, shadowing experiences and internships,” said Lee Director of Grants Vanessa Hammond. “Collaboration with these partners will enhance educational opportunities for all STEM students at Lee University.”
The NSF is an independent federal agency created by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950. Its aim is to promote and advance scientific progress in the United States. The Foundation is also committed to ensuring the nation's supply of scientists, engineers, and science educators.
For more information about the iMASS program, contact Dr. Kasper at 614-8659.