RIT Launches $1 Million Scholarship Fund
Student scholarships are partially funded by the National Science Foundation
A new $1 million scholarship fund at Rochester Institute of Technology-EMC2-aims to increase retention among RIT engineering, math and computer science students. RIT houses one of the nation’s top 10 engineering colleges and the largest, comprehensive computing college in the nation.
Established with $392,000 from the National Science Foundation’s Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics Scholarships Program and $526,500 from RIT, EMC2 awards of $1,000 per quarter will be given each year, for up to five years, to 62 RIT mechanical engineering, mathematics, computer engineering and computer science students.
Scholarships aim to increase retention through common activities, classes and a weekly seminar series, and to provide skills and work experience in preparation for the high-technology workforce.
"We want to focus on retention and make the students successful," says Edward Hensel, professor and department head of mechanical engineering, who is principal investigator of the EMC2 scholarship program. "It’s very prestigious, and another reason for coming to RIT."
Co-principal investigators at RIT are Surendra Gupta, professor of mechanical engineering; Darren Narayan, assistant professor of mathematics and statistics; Andreas Savakis, professor and head of computer engineering; and Paul Tymann, associate professor of computer science. RIT’s North Star Center for Academic Success and Cultural Affairs is also participating.
National Science Foundation reviewers lauded RIT’s matching-funds investment, saying it shows commitment to help guarantee the success of the project.