Hollins has been awarded a grant of $999,998 from the National Science Foundation Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Program (NSF S-STEM) to educate the next generation of diverse, highly skilled leaders in the STEM workforce.

Grant funds will support the development and implementation of Hollins’ Artemis Scholarship Program for Women in STEM, which is named for the Greek goddess of the hunt. It signifies the pursuit of knowledge and acknowledges NASA’s Artemis mission to land the first woman and first person of color on the moon.

Hollins’ Artemis Scholarship Program is for undergraduates majoring in biology, environmental science, chemistry, and mathematics. “The NSF grant will be used primarily to fully cover unmet financial need for high-achieving, academically talented Artemis scholars, providing each with a full cost of attendance scholarship to Hollins University,” said Assistant Professor of Biology and Environmental Science Mary Jane Carmichael, the principal investigator for the initiative. “Importantly, the grant also will strengthen relationships among the Artemis scholars, the faculty, alumnae/i, and the scientific community, promoting greater career awareness and opportunities and providing leadership skills development.”

Carmichael added that the first scholarships will be awarded to students in the 2024-25 academic year. The university plans to focus recruitment efforts in local high schools.