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Five years ago, the School of Science launched the Mentored Access to Programs in Science or MAPS program, which supported full-tuition scholarships and robust academic support and mentoring services for 24 academically talented, but financially needy undergraduates enrolled in chemistry, biochemistry, physics and mathematics. Funded by an initial National Science Foundation grant award of $613,477, MAPS has seen impressive success.

Four out of the four first year students from the fall 2014 cohort graduated on time, and the program’s subsequent cohorts are projected to do the same. Recognizing the success of MAPS, and the inclusion of a new science summer bridge component to the program, last April the NSF awarded Saint Mary’s a second S-STEM award of $999,514 to help push the innovative initiative even further. 

In addition to generous resources from the College, the 2019 version of MAPS provides for full tuition scholarships for another 24 students, supporting three cohorts of eight students in the classes of 2023, ‘24 and ’25. Distinctively, it additionally funds the innovative Summer Early Research Immersion Experience (SERIE) program. A science-oriented summer bridge program, SERIE introduces the new MAPS scholars into the academic rigors of science studies and research.

Similar to SMC's High Potential Program’s summer workshops that focus on students’ academic strengths, and the demonstrated benefits of faculty mentoring in the SOS' Summer Research program, beginning in August 2019, first year MAPS students participating in SERIE had the opportunity to work with SOS professors in contextual math coursework—such as math in the context of chemistry, or biology, and conduct initial science research biology classes, in order to become familiar with key scientific calculations and lab processes.  Additionally, to promote peer support and academic success, the new MAPS students will also be housed in a Science Living Learning Community, guided by the program’s director Mathematics Professor Chris Jones.

The National Science Foundation's S-STEM grant program was established in accordance with the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998, which reflects the national need to increase substantially the number of American scientists and engineers. The program provides academic institutions with funds for student scholarships to encourage and enable academically talented students demonstrating financial need to enter the STEM workforce or STEM graduate school following completion of an associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree in fields of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.