Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $648,953 Grant for Harford Community College

Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced that the National Science Foundation has awarded Harford Community College $648,953 to encourage science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

"STEM skills are integral in today's economy. This investment in Harford Community College's students will help ensure that our growing workforce has the knowledge and competency to compete," said Senator Cardin, a member of the Senate Finance Committee who has championed expanded STEM program offerings at several Maryland colleges and universities. "This is precisely the kind of federal investment we should be making across the state, in all our students."

"Increasing access to STEM education is vital to helping our students prepare for high-paying jobs in today's economy," said Senator Van Hollen, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and longtime STEM advocate. "This program will help students get the training they need for a lifetime of success in a STEM career."

The grant will fund Harford Community College's High Intensity Student Engagement Model (HIStEM), which provides scholarships and co-curricular support to up to academically talented students with financial need in biology and engineering. The program will function to increase the number of students completing associate's degrees in biology and engineering and facilitate their transfer into a four-year college or university to continue their STEM studies, thereby addressing the need for qualified STEM professionals in the workforce.