MSU-Meridian receives $1.75 million NSF grant to strengthen STEM educator workforce
Contact: Bethany Shipp
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University-Meridian’s Division of Education is receiving a $1.75 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program to prepare highly qualified STEM educators for elementary and secondary classrooms.
The funds will be used to recruit 24 Noyce Fellows across two 14-month cohorts on the Meridian campus. Participants, including recent graduates and professionals holding STEM degrees, will pursue a residency-based elementary or secondary master’s program leading to Mississippi teacher certification and commit to teaching in the Magnolia State for at least four years after program completion.
The Noyce program provides financial support, covering tuition, licensure exam fees, textbooks, portfolio resources and a $10,000 annual salary supplement during the four-year service period. Each fellow will be paired with a mentor teacher for job-embedded support during the residency year and an additional year of induction. To further support professional growth, fellows will engage in four years of tiered professional development through STEM-focused affinity groups, guiding them toward accomplished teaching and National Board Certification.
Michelle Stubbs, assistant teaching professor at MSU-Meridian, serves as the project’s principal investigator. She is joined by Diana Outlaw, associate professor of biological sciences and program manager at MSU’s Social Science Research Center, and Ryan Walker, associate professor in the College of Professional and Continuing Studies.
“This grant allows us to place highly qualified teachers in the highest-need content areas, ensuring immediate impact in classrooms,” Stubbs said. “We also are excited to include National Board Certification training, as research shows its significant positive effect on student learning.”
Kimberly Hall, associate dean and head of MSU-Meridian’s Division of Education, added, “Through this grant, we have the opportunity to inspire and equip the next generation of STEM educators. Their work will strengthen schools across Mississippi and help ensure that all students have access to high-quality STEM learning experiences.”
MSU’s College of Education is home to five academic departments, a division of education, one research unit and numerous service units. Learn more at www.educ.msstate.edu.
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