The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) will be raising money to support the Millennium Scholars program on Giving Tuesday, slated to begin at 6:55 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 26, and lasting through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27.

The college aims to raise $10,000, which will help fund one Millennium Scholar in the 2019-20 academic year. The first $5,000 in donations will be matched 1:1 by an anonymous donor.

The program that aims to improve diversity and opportunity in STEM fields began in 2013 at Penn State, and EMS joined in 2016. Read a story on our inaugural Millennium Scholars and watch a video on our Millennium Scholars.

“Solving societal problems is going to take diverse approaches from the world’s brightest minds,” said Lee Kump, dean of EMS. “Our Millennium Scholars represent the best of those who will join the next generation of scientists.”

Designed to set students up for success on their path to a doctorate, the program provides scholarships and additional support for students selected as Millennium Scholars. It relies on a cohort-based approach that encourages each student to assist one another in pursuit of their academic and career goals. Millennium Scholars are selected for the program after a rigorous application and interview process through which applicants highlight their commitment to diversity in STEM fields.

“The program is all about advancing diversity and inclusive excellence in STEM fields and the reason there is a need for that is the representation is so small,” said Victoria Sanchez, associate dean for educational equity in EMS. “One of the things this program does is it exposes students to people like themselves who have been successful and have achieved so much.”

To learn more about EMS’ challenge for Giving Tuesday, visit our webpage. Or follow the campaign on Twitter using the hashtag #PSUGivingTue