Saint Anselm College Awarded $1.9 million from the National Science Foundation

Saint Anselm College is excited to announce that it has been awarded a $1.9 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to fund bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for academically talented, low-income students in New Hampshire.

This innovative program, “STEM Journeys: From College to Career,” will provide Granite State students with clear, supportive cross-institutional pathways through college to a successful career in STEM.

The program is led by Saint Anselm College in partnership with the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) and aims to award as many as 60 scholarships to students from CCSNH to complete their bachelor’s degree at Saint Anselm, and up to 20 scholarships to students for Master of Science degree programs at UNH.

“STEM Journeys will create a seamless pathway for talented students who might otherwise face significant barriers to advanced degrees,” said Principal Investigator and Professor Alexander Smith, Ph.D., of Saint Anselm’s Physics Department. “This unique partnership between a community college system, a liberal arts college, and a top-tier research university will not only change individual lives but also build a stronger STEM workforce for New Hampshire.”

The grant addresses a critical need for a skilled STEM workforce and aligns with state efforts such as the ReGen Valley Tech Hub and NH Long-Term Investment to Fuel Transformative Research (NH-LIFT). Students in the program, known as S-STEM Scholars, will benefit from Saint Anselm’s renowned student-centered approach, which includes a low student-faculty ratio, high retention rates, and a robust support system of enhanced faculty advising, peer mentoring, and career preparation.

“We recognize the uniqueness of a student’s educational pathway,” said Co-principal Investigator and Professor Nicole Eyet, Ph.D., of Saint Anselm’s Chemistry and Forensic Science Department. “So, in addition to valuable scholarships, this grant provides students with the one-on-one support and mentorship Saint Anselm is known for, as well as paid research opportunities to increase students’ experiential learning.”

The collaboration among the institutions is essential to the program’s success. “This grant creates transformative opportunities for CCSNH students to advance in STEM fields, and strengthens our partnerships with Saint Anselm and UNH,” said Co-principal Investigator Sadie Reed Stimmell, Ph.D., of Manchester Community College’s Biological & Life Sciences, noting it removes financial and administrative barriers that can derail a student’s journey.

Co-principal Investigator David Mattingly, Ph.D., of UNH Physics and Astronomy, added that the accelerated master's program provides a "unique partnership between the public and private higher education systems in New Hampshire, where all work together to achieve the shared goal of educating New Hampshire’s next generation here in the state."

“This initiative perfectly embodies the mission of Saint Anselm College,” said Dr. Sheila Liotta, vice president for academic affairs and co-principal investigator. “It combines our commitment to academic excellence with our Benedictine values of hospitality and community, ensuring every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential. This grant recognizes our outstanding STEM programs and dedicated faculty, and it strengthens our role as a key contributor to the educational and economic vitality of our region.”

In addition to scholarships, the grant will support research opportunities, targeted mentoring and advising, and additional experiential learning.

Saint Anselm currently has articulation agreements with NHTI in Concord for a bachelor’s degree in chemistry as well as additional academic partnerships for graduate degrees. More information on the STEM Journey’s scholarships will be available in the fall. Students interested in transferring to Saint Anselm for either the fall or spring semester can register for a Transfer Talk, email the Office of Admission, or learn more on the transfer applicants web page.