Bronx’s University of Mount Saint Vincent Receives $1.73M Grant to Boost STEM Student Success

New York, NY — The University of Mount Saint Vincent (UMSV), in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, has been awarded a $1,736,297 grant from the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program. The six-year award will fund the University’s Scholars On Track III (SOT III) initiative, which provides scholarships and targeted support to academically talented, low-income undergraduates pursuing degrees in biology, chemistry, and biochemistry.

As a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, UMSV serves one of the most diverse student populations in the New York City region. Seventy-four percent of students eligible for the SOT III program identify as Hispanic or Black women—groups that comprise just 4% of the U.S. STEM workforce.

Over the life of the grant, SOT III will provide up to four years of scholarship funding for 39 unique full-time students with demonstrated financial need. Beyond financial aid, the program offers evidence-based activities proven to improve retention and graduation in STEM, including:

• Placing students in the same STEM classes to build supportive peer groups during their first and second years
• Proactive faculty mentoring and career guidance
• Peer tutoring and study sessions in high-attrition “gateway” courses — such as Genetics and Organic Chemistry — that students must pass to advance in their major
• Undergraduate research opportunities with UMSV faculty
• Industry site visits to local biotech, life sciences, and environmental organizations
• Career exploration and networking with STEM professionals
• Workshops to build non-cognitive skills such as resiliency, growth mindset, and self-efficacy

The program specifically addresses what higher education researchers call the “sophomore slump”—the point at which many students leave STEM majors due to rigorous coursework, waning career motivation, and financial pressures. By combining early career exploration with psychosocial skill-building, UMSV aims to keep students on track toward graduation and STEM careers.

UMSV’s Scholars On Track III builds on the success of two previous NSF S-STEM grants—marking more than 12 years of sustained investment in supporting underrepresented students in STEM fields. Most recently, under the SOT II grant, 15 students successfully earned STEM degrees within four years, demonstrating the program’s transformative impact.

The project is led by principal investigator Dr. Pamela Kerrigan, Assistant Dean and Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, with co-principal investigators Dr. Ana Ribeiro and Dr. Robert Suriano, both Professors of Biology. Their collaborative effort and commitment to student success were instrumental in developing and submitting the successful grant proposal.

“Financial barriers should never prevent talented students from becoming scientists, engineers, or innovators,” said Dr. Pamela Kerrigan. “With the National Science Foundation’s support, we can remove those barriers and ensure our scholars have the mentorship, resources, and real-world experiences they need to succeed in high-demand STEM fields.”

UMSV graduates often live and work within 50 miles of the Bronx campus, a region with one of the nation’s largest biotech and life sciences job markets. By preparing more graduates from historically underrepresented backgrounds for these careers, SOT III will help diversify the STEM workforce and strengthen the local and national innovation economy.

This project is funded by NSF’s S-STEM program, which supports scholarships for academically talented, low-income students in STEM and advances knowledge on effective strategies for recruitment, retention, and degree completion.