NASA Gives $5M to 7 Women’s Colleges to Tackle Gender Gap in STEM

Seven women’s colleges and universities are getting a boost from NASA to help women pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

NASA is awarding more than $5 million to these institutions to research and develop strategies to increase retention of women in STEM programs and careers.

The grant is a response to White House Executive Order 14035 to address the national higher education and career gender gap and the experiences of women in STEM. In 2019, women made up 27% of all STEM workers in the U.S. and, on average, are paid 26% less than men in STEM, according to a previous BestColleges report.

“This is a very exciting first; we’re making strides to close the pervasive gender gap in STEM, and Women’s Colleges and Universities are well-positioned to help drive that positive change,” Pam Melroy, NASA deputy administrator and Wellesley College graduate, said in a press release.

“It’s more important than ever we have brilliant, enthusiastic people entering the workforce and ready to take on the ambitious plans and challenges ahead.”

Decatur, Georgia

Alumnae Network & Career Resources Program — STEM Support Anchored at Agnes Scott College

Milwaukee

Alverno College “Launching the Future”: An Intersectional Approach to Boosting Recruitment and Retention of Women in STEM Undergraduate Education

Allentown, Pennsylvania

TOWERS — Tackling Obstacles for Women’s Engagement & Retention in STEM at Cedar Crest College

Omaha, Nebraska

Project BLOOM for Women in STEM — Bolstering Learning, Opportunities, Outreach, and Mindfulness

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Soar With Salem: A Comprehensive Program to Inspire Women and Girls to Become the Next Generation of STEM Professionals

Boston

DREAM-WSTEM (Dynamic Research Education Academy for Mentoring Women in STEM)

Northampton, Massachusetts

Developing a Pathway to MaRS (Math Resilient Students) in STEM: A Cascading Mentorship Model