William Paterson University has been awarded a competitive $2 million, six-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to expand its Mathematics and Computer Science Scholars (MaCS) Program. The initiative, which first launched in 2020, is designed to dismantle financial and social barriers for students entering high-demand STEM fields.
The grant, issued through the NSF’s prestigious S-STEM (Scholarships in STEM) program, marks a significant win for the Wayne-based institution. The NSF funds only a small fraction of such proposals nationwide, signaling strong federal confidence in William Paterson’s ability to diversify the regional tech workforce.
While the primary driver of the grant is financial aid—offering 40 low-income students up to $15,000 annually for four years—the MaCS program is built on a “whole-student” support model.
“This second phase reflects our shared mission to expand opportunity, foster innovation, and prepare the next generation of STEM leaders,” Venkat Sharma, dean of the College of Science and Health said.
The program includes:
- Faculty Mentoring: One-on-one guidance from professors in the math and computer science departments.
- Research Assistantships: Hands-on experience in laboratory and computational research.
- Culturally Responsive Mentoring: A specialized approach that integrates a student’s cultural identity and lived experience into their academic journey.
- Career Integration: Direct pipelines to internships and workshops led by regional industry leaders.
The new $2 million award builds directly on the results of “Phase I.” According to Principal Investigator Jyoti Champanerkar, the initial iteration of the MaCS program exceeded recruitment goals and maintained high retention rates. Most graduates from the first cohort have already transitioned into professional STEM roles or are currently pursuing advanced graduate degrees.
“The goal has been to tailor the experience to each scholar, providing support as needed,” Champanerkar said. She emphasized that for many students, the “sense of belonging” created by the program was just as vital as the financial assistance.
As New Jersey continues to grow its reputation as an AI and biotechnology hub, programs like MaCS are essential for ensuring local talent can meet the needs of the industry. Phase II of the program will specifically deepen ties with the College of Science and Health Advisory Council, a group of industry professionals who will provide real-world insights into the evolving workforce.
The Grant Leadership Team:
- Jyoti Champanerkar (Principal Investigator, Mathematics)
- Paul von Dohlen (Co-PI, Mathematics)
- Cyril S. Ku (Co-PI, Computer Science)
- Nan Wang (Co-PI, Computer Science)
The program will focus on students majoring in computer science, information technology, and mathematics, fields that are currently seeing record demand across the Northeast Corridor.
