D’Youville will be able to help more low-income and underserved students pursue careers in science and healthcare, thanks to a million-dollar grant from New York State’s Collegiate Science Technology Entry Program (CSTEP).

The four-year grant, totaling $1,061,380, will help nearly 150 D’Youville students seeking careers or professional licensure in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) or healthcare professions. Established in 1987 by the New York State Legislature, CSTEP is focused on increasing the number of historically underrepresented minority groups and financially disadvantaged students in STEM and health-related fields.

“This is a bold step forward in our continued efforts to increase access and funnel students toward high demand and high paying fields such as licensure health professions,” says D’Youville President Lorrie Clemo, PhD. “The program aligns with our vision and mission, as well as the overarching objectives of D’Youville’s recently opened Health Professions Hub.”

CSTEP will work closely with the Learning Center which will provide additional tutoring and academic support, as well as accommodations for students with disabilities through the Office of Accessibility Resources. CSTEP students will also receive services from D’Youville’s Student Success Center, which offers academic advisement and planning, transfer student support, career and professional engagement, and student support and advocacy assistance.

In addition, CSTEP students will benefit from training in time management, study skills, and financial literacy, additional summer instruction, and from opportunities for internships and professional mentorships. The program will collaborate with D’Youville’sHEOP, Say Yes, and Upward Bound programs in providing services to traditionally underserved students.

“Nearly 40% of our students fall within poverty guidelines and more than 20% are first-generation college students,” says President Clemo. “The CSTEP grant will allow us to do even more to support these students and increase their social mobility as they pursue stable, well-paying careers in science and healthcare.” U.S. News and World Report ranked D’Youville as No. 90 in the U.S. for social mobility in its 2021 rankings.