Launched in Fall 2024, this initiative is already making waves by supporting academically talented, low-income students who aspire to careers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
Led by Dr. Andrea Ward, Associate Provost for Research and Special Projects and Professor of Biology, the program’s mission is clear: build access, mentorship, and momentum for students to thrive in the STEM workforce—whether that means graduate school, industry, or academic research.
Curiosity at the Core: Who Are STEM Scholars?
Adelphi’s STEM Scholars aren’t just good students—they’re curious minds. Selection prioritizes students who excel in science and math coursework and show genuine interest in research, even if they haven’t had formal research opportunities yet. “We’re looking for that spark,” says Dr. Ward. “The students who ask, ‘What happens next?’ or ‘What if we tried it this way?’—those are the ones who thrive in this program.”
For counselors and educators working with underrepresented students in STEM, that message is empowering. Research potential isn’t just about having a lab coat in high school—it’s about the questions students carry with them.
Financial Support that Goes the Distance
The STEM Scholars Program provides up to $15,000 in last-dollar scholarship aid, layered on top of existing institutional, federal, and state funding. Uniquely, this scholarship can be applied to both direct and indirect expenses, such as books, housing, and meals—removing many of the barriers that often stand in the way of full participation in campus life.
Students also receive two fully paid summer research fellowships, offering meaningful, compensated experience in faculty-led labs without sacrificing summer income—an uncommon but crucial component of equity-focused programming.
Mentorship at Every Level
Success in STEM doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Adelphi recognizes that mentorship is essential—and layers of support are built into the program:
- Peer mentors guide students through immediate academic challenges and campus transitions.
- Alumni mentors offer professional insights and career connections from those who’ve recently walked the same path.
- Faculty advisors and Dr. Ward herself provide academic guidance, research opportunities, and high-touch support across each student’s journey.
This comprehensive model ensures that students are supported from every angle—academic, personal, and professional.
Hands-On Research and Career Readiness
Undergraduate research is a cornerstone of the Adelphi STEM experience. From their first year, students are introduced to career development tools, individual development planning, and real-world research experiences that prepare them to thrive in postgraduate environments—whether in advanced study or in-demand industries.
Through partnerships with alumni and industry leaders, students receive guidance on everything from LinkedIn profiles to internship prep and post-graduation planning. Adelphi doesn’t just prepare students for what’s next—it shows them what’s possible.
Broadening Access, Advancing Equity
At its heart, the STEM Scholars Program is an engine for inclusion. Restricted to Pell-eligible students, the program deliberately creates pathways for those historically underrepresented in STEM. By removing financial barriers and offering real opportunities, Adelphi is investing in the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
As Dr. Ward notes, “We want students to realize that their funnel of opportunity is widening, not narrowing. College should expand their sense of what’s possible.”
Why It Matters
The STEM Scholars Program at Adelphi University offers more than a scholarship—it’s a launchpad. It’s for the student who’s always asked “what if?” but never saw a way forward. It’s for the high schooler who’s fascinated by chemistry but has to work every summer. And it’s for the future innovator whose potential just needs the right ecosystem to grow.
For counselors and educators guiding students toward opportunity, Adelphi’s program is a standout example of student-centered innovation in action.
To learn more about the STEM Scholars Program at Adelphi, view the program website, or to hear Dr. Ward’s full interview listen to the Leading Colleges Podcast.