New Haven, Connecticut -- January 2nd, 2024 -- Soderstrom Scholars Fund (SSF) welcomed its inaugural cohort of SSF Scholars during the fall 2023 academic semester. Currently pursuing undergraduate STEM degrees at one of five different Connecticut-based universities or colleges (UConn, Quinnipiac, UNH, SCSU, CSCU), each of the 10 SSF Scholars brings an impressive track record of success in academics, internships or research, and service to their communities.
At SSF's Fall 2023 Social, which was hosted and generously sponsored by Wiggin and Dana on November 8th, 2023 in New Haven, Dr. Jon Soderstrom was quoted as saying:
"On this STEM Day, I can’t think of a better place to be than here with the inaugural cohort of Soderstrom Scholars. Congratulations to these outstanding individuals whose honor is not just based on personal achievement but is a testament to the confidence their colleges and institutions placed in them. Selected as the most deserving among your peers, please know that every mentor and professional in this room is dedicated to helping you pave a successful path forward. Here's to the pioneers of the Soderstrom Scholars Fund, who embody the spirit of academic distinction and promise!”
All 10 SSF scholars were nominated by their respective university or college during spring 2023, interviewed by members of the SSF Board of Directors, and inducted in August 2023. Each received a $1,000 scholarship for the fall 2023 semester and will be receiving another $1,000 scholarship for the spring 2024 semester, in addition to mentorship and other career development services through the SSF network. SSF leadership is grateful for the generosity of various Connecticut-based companies and individuals who made these pilot-level scholarships possible (see Sponsorship page). Additionally, SSF was the fortunate recipient of a $10,000 micro-grant from CTNext during 2023, which will further enable SSF to cover certain programming expenses in service to the Scholars.
As the SSF leadership team looks forward to 2024, primary operating goals include 1) advancing SSF's mission to be a leading STEM-based mentorship organization within the state of Connecticut, 2) supporting current SSF Scholars as they secure summer 2024 internships, 3) interviewing and inducting the next cohort, and 4) raising additional funds to cover expanded scholarship and programming expenses. To support any of those ends, please feel welcome to submit an inquiry/message on SSF's Contact page.
Complete List of 2023-2024 SSF Scholars
About Soderstrom Scholars Fund, Inc.
Soderstrom Scholars Fund (SSF), Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to support students from underrepresented minority groups pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) at Connecticut colleges or universities. SSF enhances these STEM-focused students' educational and career development opportunities through scholarship, mentorship, and internship, with the intent of creating an innovative human capital pipeline for the Connecticut ecosystem.
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