This project is awarding scholarships to academically talented and financially needy students and is supporting the scholars through a variety of structures and programs. Students from underrepresented groups are being especially targeted for support. Student scholars are enrolled as engineering or computer science majors and have been identified as those who are interested in either pursuing an entrepreneurial career path or who are interested in pursuing graduate research studies. The scholarship program is integrated with a successful STEP program on campus, extending support and mentoring activities into the junior and senior years for targeted students. The objective of the program is the creation of enhanced educational opportunities to enable success of the scholars. The methods being employed in the project include a strong academic support structure, a mentorship program that involves research faculty and industry partners, a Distinguished Speaker seminar series aimed at the scholars, and a learning community infrastructure.
