UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) will be raising money to support the Millennium Scholars program on Giving Tuesday, slated to begin at 6:55 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 28, and lasting through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29. The college aims to raise $10,000, which will help fund one Millennium Scholar in the 2017-18 academic year.
“Increasing diversity within STEM fields is a critical piece of our strategic plan. The Millennium Scholars program is instrumental in our college's efforts to provide access to a high-quality education to underrepresented populations,” said William Easterling, dean of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.
The program began in 2013 at Penn State, and EMS joined in 2016. The first two EMS Millennium Scholars, Brian Swab and Ana De La Fuente Duran, say the program has already opened doors for them.
Designed to set students up for success on their path to earning a doctorate, the program provides scholarship monies as well as support to students selected as Millennium Scholars. Millennium Scholars staff provide guidance and help identify opportunities related to engaged scholarship, career preparation and networking. In addition, the program uses a cohort-based approach that encourages each student to assist one another in pursuit of their academic and career goals.
Millennium Scholars are selected through a rigorous application and interview process, through which they highlight their commitment to increasing diversity in STEM fields in their careers.
“Millennium Scholars are the best and brightest underrepresented students who dream of pursuing a Ph.D. If you donate a little bit, it could make a huge difference in the academic trajectory of a student who otherwise might not be able to afford college,” said Victoria Sanchez, associate dean for educational equity for EMS.
To learn more or to donate, visit the EMS challenge for Giving Tuesday webpage.