Awarded through the Choose Ohio First program, this grant will provide essential funding to expand the scholarships within the Mount’s cITe (Computing and Information Technology) program.
CINCINNATI, Oh. - Mount St. Joseph University (Mount) is excited to announce the receipt of a generous grant that will significantly enhance opportunities for students pursuing excellence in the field of information technology and computer science. The Mount will receive $1,173,648 over five years, all going to scholarships for students.
The grant, awarded through the Choose Ohio First program, will provide essential funding to expand the scholarships within the Mount’s cITe (Computing and Information Technology) program. The Choose Ohio First (COF) program’s main goal is to boost Ohio’s efforts to strengthen the state’s workforce in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The scholarships will be for up to $8,000 per year renewable for four years for students intending to major in Computer Science.
The cITe program at the Mount is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the rapidly evolving field of information technology. With a focus on hands-on learning, industry-relevant curriculum, and mentorship, the program has gained recognition for producing highly skilled graduates ready to meet the demands of the digital age.
“This grant creates exciting opportunities for our Mount St. Joseph’s students,” said Rebecca Allen, Ph.D., computing professor at the Mount. “Through the grant, we can make an industry-aligned, cutting edge, computer science education affordable for our students.”
These scholarships will not only ease the financial burden on students but also attract a diverse and talented pool of individuals passionate about making a significant impact in the technology landscape.
“The partnership with Choose Ohio First and the State of Ohio has been rich and meaningful. COF has been tremendously supportive in terms of helping our program thrive. They even have invited students to the Capitol to present student research,” said Allen.
The cITe program scholarship fund, made possible by this grant from COF, will be instrumental in fostering a more inclusive and diverse learning environment within the University, as it aims to attract students from various backgrounds and perspectives. The Mount believes that a diverse student body contributes to a richer educational experience and better prepares graduates for success in the global IT workforce.
“Many of our students are first generation students and without support, college may be out of reach. Another group of students we’ve seen helped be grant funding is rural students. Rural students are often overlooked in college recruitment, but they often benefit from scholarships provided by programs such as Choose First Ohio,” added Allen.
“We are also enthusiastic that the grant funding has encouraged many females to pursue computer science. Females are dramatically underrepresented in computer science—nationally, only 1 in 5 computer science graduates are women. Our program, in contrast, is over 50 percent women. The funding has given us that little extra piece of encouragement to guide women into technical careers.”
The Choose Ohio First scholarship program began in 2008 in an effort to increase the number of Ohio students enrolling in and successfully completing STEM programs at Ohio’s public and independent colleges and universities. The latest COF awards are part of a focused strategy to increase enrollment and completion in STEM fields to strengthen Ohio’s talent pipeline in STEM occupations and related industries.
Prospective students interested in applying for the cITe program scholarships are encouraged to visit https://cite.msj.edu/
About the Mount
As a Catholic institution rooted in the values of the Sisters of Charity, Mount St. Joseph University excels at serving the common good. Undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students at the Mount are inspired to think beyond the classroom and redraw the bounds of what’s possible for their futures. This is accomplished through individualized educational experiences, a safe, secure campus environment, and an all-in commitment from faculty and staff to inspire students to reach their highest potential. The Mount fosters life-long learners who serve, care, and contribute to the world beyond their front doors.
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