WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced that Rowan University was awarded $1,200,000 from the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program for a new science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educator recruitment and preparation program. The program encourages talented STEM graduates and professionals to become K-12 teachers at local public schools.

“This grant isn’t just an investment in our local students and schools, it’s an investment in our entire area and workforce,” said Rep. Norcross. “It’s no secret that we need more STEM teachers and it’s encouraging to see such an innovative, needed recruitment program in South Jersey. Our country must prioritize STEM education in order to build our 21^st century workforce, and I am so proud that Rowan University is as the forefront of this effort.”

“The grant will help fund a creative collaboration between our Colleges of Science & Math and Education that provides undergraduates in STEM related majors an opportunity to change direction and earn a master’s in Education so they can become certified to teach,” said Ali Houshmand, president of Rowan University. “It also will help those who want to change careers, including existing teachers who want to teach in STEM disciplines and professionals who want to enter the classroom. This grant will make a big difference in many school districts across South Jersey for decades to come.”

The team at Rowan University, led by Trevor Smith, will partner with Glassboro, Millville and Vineland Public Schools on the project, which will build off Rowan University’s recently developed Master of Arts in STEM Education teacher preparation program. The Rowan program already includes a year-long residency in a high-need school.

The Noyce Program aims to increase interest in STEM careers, as well as the overall level of mathematics and science literacy throughout South Jersey. By the end of the five-year project, 25 Noyce Teachers will have begun their teaching careers in high-need local education agencies in South Jersey and the broader region.

NSF supports research, innovation and discovery projects that are the foundation for economic growth in this country. By advancing the frontiers of science and engineering, our nation can develop the knowledge and cutting-edge technologies needed to address the challenges we face today and will face in the future.

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Contact: Ally Kehoe, Communications Director
ally.kehoe@mail.house.gov