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William Paterson University has been awarded a $2 million, six-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to continue and expand its Mathematics and Computer Science Scholars (MaCS) Program – a transformative initiative that first launched on campus in 2020 to expand access and opportunity to STEM degrees.
The grant, awarded through the NSF’s S-STEM (“Scholarships in STEM”) program, will provide scholarships and comprehensive academic and career support to 40 low-income undergraduate students majoring in computer science, information technology, and mathematics. The NSF funds only a few dozen S-STEM projects nationwide each year.
“This highly competitive award reflects the strength of our academic programs, our commitment to student success, and the dedication of our faculty leadership,” says Venkat Sharma, dean of the University’s College of Science and Health, citing the grant’s “rigorous” peer-review process. “This second phase of the MaCS program reflects our shared mission to expand opportunity, foster innovation, and prepare the next generation of STEM leaders.”
The grant leadership team includes principal investigator Jyoti Champanerkar (mathematics), with fellow professors and co-principal investigators Paul von Dohlen (mathematics), Cyril S. Ku (computer science), and Nan Wang (computer science). Dean Sharma will provide administrative and institutional oversight for the grant.
Expanding Access and Strengthening STEM Pathways
Phase II of the MaCS program will provide annual scholarships of up to $15,000 per student per academic year for up to four years, along with faculty mentoring, research assistantships, internship opportunities, and structured career preparation. The program is designed to create strong pathways to STEM careers and graduate study while strengthening retention and graduation outcomes.
The new award builds on the success of the University’s previous MaCS grant, which exceeded its recruitment goal and saw high student retention rates. Most program graduates have gone into professional roles and some are pursuing graduate degrees, Champanerkar notes.
“The MaCS program has been successful because we have been able to provide students with a support system that includes not only financial assistance, but also highly personalized guidance, encouragement, and mentoring. The goal has been to tailor the experience to each scholar, providing support as needed,” Champanerkar says.
She also credits Djanna Hill, associate dean of WP’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, who coached the program’s math and computer science faculty on culturally responsive mentoring – an approach that incorporates students’ cultural identities, lived experiences, and strengths into mentoring relationships.
Some MaCS scholars required extra help navigating the college experience, while others needed a stronger sense of belonging, Champanerkar continues. “We let our knowledge of the student’s particular situation guide the assistance we provide.”
Phase II will deepen engagement with regional industry partners and expand experiential learning opportunities, further aligning academic preparation with workforce needs. Industry leaders who serve on the College of Science and Health Advisory Council will help guide the program by offering workshops, mentoring, and internship opportunities for participating students.
