Norfolk State University Professors Drs. Claude Turner, Patricia Mead, and Carlene Turner have successfully secured a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation.

These funds will help to create a plethora of opportunities for NSU students. This will align them to be in position to gain invaluable experience and training, which will greatly enhance their skills and advance their educational learning experience. The grant is part of the Future Leaders and Movers in Engineering and Computer Science (FLAME) program which seeks to establish a learning community of academically talented and financially eligible students.

FLAME will expose these scholars to a comprehensive set of activities to enhance their preparation for successful careers in business and industrial settings. The program design integrates formal and informal experiences and emphasizes leadership, experiential learning, and self-identification as a scientist or engineer. FLAME also seeks to integrate program features, such as a Leadership Seminar Series, Technical Workshops, Distinguished Lecture Series, and social bonding events. Successful completion is expected to demonstrate effective pathways of broadened opportunity and participation in STEM careers.

Dr. Claude Turner, professor of computer science and the principal investigator (PI) for the grant, is optimistic about the positive outcomes for FLAME scholars. "The FLAME program will offer mentorship, experiential learning, and financial support to underserved students, the kinds of programs that greatly benefited me when I was a student," he said. FLAME will offer 90 awards to low-income and academically talented Historically Black College and University (HBCU) underrepresented minorities or first-generation students from the Computer Science and Engineering undergraduate programs for up to four years.

FLAME scholars will continue to be awarded financial support, provided they maintain academic and social good standing and make acceptable progress toward completing their degree. A key project outcome is that the proposed program should exceed NSU's overall retention to graduation rate. In addition, to ensure scholars' persistence, FLAME will provide role model mentoring from faculty, community, and industry partners and professional development for the scholars to enter the computing-related workforce or advanced study.

The grant runs from October 15, 2022, through October 14, 2027. Dr. Mead, professor of engineering, and Dr. Carlene Turner, professor of sociology, will serve as Co-Principal Investigators.