Computer Science, Engineering, Engineering Technology & Mathematics Scholarship

CSEMS program at The University of Memphis seeks to fund economically disadvantaged students in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Math, and Computer Science.

The University of Memphis College of Engineering is continuing a two-year, $172,000 program for four more years with an additional $343,750 grant provided by The National Science Foundation (NSF). The program is aimed at supporting economically disadvantaged undergraduate students majoring in engineering, engineering technology, computer science, or mathematics. Entitled "A Scholarship Program for Computer Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Students: Building Upon An Industry-Academia Partnership Approach" the program is geared toward addressing the national shortage of engineers, mathematicians and computer scientists. Moreover, the program seeks to encourage more engineers, computer scientists, and mathematicians from traditionally under-represented groups including females, minorities, and persons with disabilities. "The program will offer scholarships, workshops, academic and personal support, as well as opportunities for paid, summer internship experiences" said Dr. David J. Russomanno, Ballard Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the grant's principal investigator.

The original $172,000 program started in the fall semester 2002 and the additional $343,750 will fund scholarships starting in Fall 2004 through Spring 2008. The program will fund at least 25 students per semester, who are within two years of graduation, with $3,125 scholarships, enabling them to reduce or eliminate the time spent at part-time jobs, just when academic expectations are highest.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), Wright Medical Technology, Memphis Light, Gas, and Water, and Solae Company will participate in the program by providing opportunities for summer internship positions (as available) for some of the scholarship recipients. Additional corporate sponsors have agreed to participate in the program. Dr. Russomanno said, "we expect that each scholarship recipient will have the opportunity to secure a paid, summer internship position so that they need not seek out other employment that might impede their career goals. Our intention is to get more math, science, and engineering students into the workforce. Upperclassmen will be drawn not just from UofM classrooms, but we will recruit from community colleges in the Mid-South area. Some of the students may have considered getting just a two-year degree, for financial reasons and we plan to improve that situation.

CSEMS Project Director: Dr. David J. Russomanno

CSEMS CO-Investigators: Ms.Regina Hairston, Dr.Paul J. Palazolo, Ms. Karen Smith, Ms. Anna Phillips