- Lehigh Carbon Community College has gotten a $200,000 National Science Foundation grant to support Hispanic students pursuing STEM majors
- Despite a 34% rise in Hispanic enrollment in higher education, only 8% of the STEM workforce identifies as Hispanic
- The modified course covers crucial aspects of Hispanic student success and provides opportunities to interact with Hispanic leaders in local companies
SCHNECKSVILLE, Pa. — Lehigh Carbon Community College has been awarded a $200,000 grant aimed at boosting the number of Hispanic students pursuing STEM majors.
The three-year grant from the National Science Foundation, or NSF, will fund a first-year experience course led by Dr. Deepika Khilnaney, an associate professor of physics.
It will be tailored for Hispanic students, with a focus on fostering a sense of belonging in fields where Hispanic graduates are underrepresented, the college said in a news release.
While Hispanic enrollment in higher education has seen a 34% increase in recent years, STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — industries continue to have only 8% Hispanic representation in the workforce.
LCCC, which the U.S. Education Department recognizes as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, says its student body is more than 28% Hispanic or Latino.
Modeled into pilot program
The college's Aspira First-Year Experience initiative will be modified into a pilot program designed specifically for STEM-interested Hispanic students with the support of the NSF grant.
The specialized course will cover key aspects of Hispanic student success, including motivation, self-management, goal setting, critical thinking, test-taking strategies and career exploration.
The program will offer scholarships, peer mentoring and faculty development, aiming to enhance affordability, guide students through their college journey, facilitate connections among peers and promote inclusive teaching practices.Lehigh Carbon Community College release
It also will aim to help students get insights into STEM fields through interactions with Hispanic leaders in local companies.
The program will offer scholarships, peer mentoring and faculty development, aiming to enhance affordability, guide students through their college journey, facilitate connections among peers and promote inclusive teaching practices.
Anticipated enrollment in the Aspira STEM track will be 30 to 40 STEM-interested Hispanic students. The grant project will run from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, 2026.
For more information, contact Dr. Khilnaney or Natalie DeRosa, director of student engagement and inclusion.
