Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, has been awarded a highly competitive grant from the American Talent Initiative (ATI) to launch its innovative Stevens Transfer Student Success Initiative (STSSI). The grant, provided in partnership with the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and Ithaka S+R, and funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, will support Stevens’ efforts to expand access to STEM education for talented low-income students.
Stevens is one of just 16 institutions selected from a pool of 47 applicants for the ATI Fund, which will award $5 million in total grants to support and expand promising practices that help more students from low-income backgrounds earn a four-year degree.
“The Stevens Transfer Student Success Initiative embodies our belief that talent is evenly distributed within our society, but opportunity is not,” said Dr. Nariman Farvardin, president of Stevens Institute of Technology. “As an ATI ‘High-Flier,’ we’re further strengthening our commitment to expand access to STEM education. By partnering with community colleges and providing comprehensive support to transfer students, we aim to double our Pell-eligible transfer enrollment. This initiative isn’t just about numbers — it’s about changing lives and shaping the future of STEM leadership.”
The STSSI addresses a critical challenge in higher education: While many talented individuals start their academic journeys at community colleges, only 16% earn a bachelor’s degree within six years. Over the next two years, the grant will support Stevens in implementing a multi-faceted approach to change this statistic:
As an ATI “High-Flier,” Stevens is among the top five schools nationwide showing high rates of Pell enrollment increase. Since 2016, Stevens has been part of ATI’s collective effort that has enrolled an additional 18,100 Pell Grant recipients across member institutions.
“Our focus on expanding access and opportunity for all students is a key part of Stevens’ identity,” Farvardin added. “While we take great pride in our progress and ATI ‘High-Flier’ recognition, we recognize there is more work to be done. Stevens remains deeply committed to unlocking the full potential of talented students from all backgrounds.”
The STSSI aligns with Stevens’ Accelerating Opportunity goal to increase enrollment of Pell-eligible students. By aiming to double its Pell-eligible transfer enrollment to 30% of incoming transfer students, Stevens is taking a significant step towards creating a more diverse and inclusive STEM workforce.
View a video of President Farvardin speaking about STSSI.
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