McHenry County College has been awarded a $650,000 federal grant to provide substantial scholarships and inventive programming for students interested in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the goal of the grant is to increase the number of academically talented students with significant financial need to have the opportunity to obtain degrees in STEM fields, and to improve the education of future scientists, engineers and technicians through innovative partnerships and student programs.

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, employment in STEM occupations has grown by more than 24 percent in the past decade, compared with only 4 percent for all other occupations. In addition, individuals in STEM careers, on average, earn 29 percent more than those working in positions outside those fields.

“What an exciting honor to have been selected for this highly competitive grant that both four-year colleges and community colleges apply for each year,” MCC President Clint Gabbard. said. “We are proud that MCC has met the rigorous criteria for this important program, and thrilled to have this innovative opportunity to provide our students programmatic, resource and financial support to help achieve careers in STEM fields.”

Over the next five years, the program will provide up to $10,000 in scholarship support per student to at least 40 students attending MCC.

Women, minorities, people with disabilities and first-generation college students are particularly encouraged to apply.

In addition to financial support, MCC students accepted into the STEM Scholarship Program will receive one-on-one guidance from a faculty member, personalized tutoring, a professional mentor working in one of McHenry County’s STEM industries and opportunities for research and internships.

An important part of the program is to help students learn more about the wide range of career possibilities that exist in STEM fields, both locally and regionally.

MCC offers a variety of opportunities for students interested in STEM careers. These include associate degree programs in robotics, graphic design, mobile application development and network security.

Students also can earn an associate degree in science or engineering sciences and then transfer to a four-year college to focus their studies in STEM fields such as biology, chemistry and earth sciences.

“We are thrilled that we are able to provide so much support to incoming MCC students preparing for the many exciting career opportunities available in the STEM fields,” MCC mathematics and sciences dean Maria Taydem said.

This is the second-largest grant the college has received in its 50-year history.

The college received a five-year, $1.29 million Upward Bound grant last year from the U.S. Department of Education to prepare high school students for a college education.

For information on the program and how to apply, contact any of the following people at MCC: project director Jack Brzezinski at jbrzezinski@mchenry.edu or 815-455-8578, co-project director Tammi Kostos at tkostos@mchenry.edu or 815-455-8711, co-project director Rob Smith at rsmith@mchenry.edu or 815-455-8723, or Taydem at mtaydem@mchenry.edu or 815-455-8538.