The Emerging Scholars Program recruits academically talented and financially needy students interested in STEM fields, especially those from underrepresented groups in these disciplines. The intellectual merit and the project's goals are to support students in their academic endeavors, promote student success through the completion of an associate's degree and either enter the job market or transfer to a four-year institution. The Project also exposes participants to various professional avenues that the STEM disciplines provide. The scholarships provided by this project have broader impact by allowing more low-income, underrepresented students to enter and succeed in the educational and career pathways within STEM fields. The project awards 21 scholarships at an average of $5,000 each year. Various services and activities supplement participants' regular classroom instruction, including mentoring activities, field trips, internships, and encouraged participation in professional societies. The Project has an objective to award 50% of scholarships to groups traditionally underrepresented in the STEM disciplines to promote a more diverse workforce.
