{"id":6781,"date":"2026-07-17T19:44:53","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T23:44:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/?page_id=6781"},"modified":"2026-07-30T16:09:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T20:09:58","slug":"investing-in-stem-scholars-at-bates","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/leadership-giving\/investing-in-stem-scholars-at-bates\/","title":{"rendered":"Investing in STEM Scholars at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ensuring Equity and Excellence in the Sciences<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
\n

THE MISSION \u2014 The STEM Scholars program is a four-year, cohort-based mentoring initiative designed to ensure that every student interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math has the support to succeed and graduate. By focusing on students from groups traditionally underrepresented in the sciences \u2014 including first-generation students and those from rural Maine \u2014 ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ is redefining who can excel in STEM.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"Physiological<\/span>
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“The STEM Scholars program has fundamentally transformed the landscape of science at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½. We have moved from a model where identity predicted outcome to one where every talented student, regardless of background, has a clear pathway to success. Endowing this program ensures that this culture of inclusion and excellence is not just a moment in our history, but a permanent pillar of the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ experience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– April Horton
<\/strong>Wagener Family Professor of Equity and Inclusion in STEM<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>

A PROVEN
SUCCESS STORY<\/h2>

Launched in 2019 to address national and institutional trends in STEM <\/strong>retention, the program has achieved historic results. As of 2026:

Closing the Gap: <\/strong>Race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status are no longer predictors of graduation in STEM disciplines at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½.

High Retention: <\/strong>Over 85% of STEM Scholars graduate with a STEM degree, far exceeding national averages.

Elite Outcomes:<\/strong> Scholars have secured prestigious research fellowships at institutions such as Harvard Medical School, the MIT Broad Institute, Stanford, and Johns Hopkins.

Cultural Shift:<\/strong> The program has successfully transformed the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ STEM landscape from one viewed as competitive and uninviting to a culture of inclusive excellence.<\/p><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
THE CASE FOR ENDOWMENT:
SUSTAINING THE FUTURE<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

To ensure these gains are permanent, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ seeks to build a $1 million endowment. This will sustain the program in perpetuity, providing a reliable $50,000 annual operating budget to cover:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
The Goal: $1M Endowment = $50K in program support per year<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
Faculty Mentorship and Program Direction<\/td>$25K <\/td><\/tr>
Student Mentors and Purposeful Work Fellows <\/td>$10K<\/td><\/tr>
Student Travel and Scientific Conferences<\/td>$5K<\/td><\/tr>
Expert Speakers and Alumni Visitors<\/td>$5K<\/td><\/tr>
Social Programming and Cohort Building<\/td>$5K<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Why Endow?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

An endowment provides a permanent, sustainable revenue stream that enables ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ to plan for the program\u2019s long-term growth. It ensures that the close-knit mentoring and research opportunities that define the STEM Scholars experience remain available to every future Bobcat, regardless of shifting annual budgets. To create this kind of lasting impact for our students, establishing a named endowment starts with a minimum commitment of $100,000.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Get in Touch<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you’re interested in learning more or making a gift, please contact:
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seth Williams
<\/strong>Director of Leadership Giving<\/em>
swilliams2@bates.edu
<\/a>207-755-5988<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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