Press Releases

Council for Opportunity in Education Announces 2016 Stem Scholarship Recipients

July 12, 2016

Pathways to Success Scholarship Program, with support from GE Foundation, helps more first-generation, low-income students enter STEM fields

The Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) has awarded scholarships from its Pathways to Success in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program to six U.S. college-bound high school graduates from Eerie, PA, Louisville, KY, and Stamford, CT.

With support from the GE Foundation, the Pathways to Success scholarships help more first-generation, low-income students pursue a degree in STEM fields.

COE selected the six applicants based on their high school STEM activities and interest, academics, and intent to pursue a career in a STEM field. The awards apply to 2016-17 and 2017-18 academic years. Said Asla Al Khafaji, a recipient from Erie, PA who's attending Mercyhurst University to study medicine, "It is my passion... and belief that I can reach the American Dream."

Award program criteria requires that students:

• are graduating high school seniors with the intent to enroll in a two-year or four-year accredited college or university with a declared STEM major;
• are participants in the federal TRIO program, GEAR UP, or GO College Access Initiative, and
• are eligible for the Pell Grant; have a documented disability, or are the first person in their family to attend college.

The 2016-2018 STEM Scholarship recipients are:

Erie, PA

• Asla Al Khafaji (East High School), Mercyhurst University, Major — Public Health
• Jordan Darby (Strong Vincent High School), University of Pittsburgh, Major — Mechanical Engineering
• Kyle Nash (Central Tech High School), Embry Riddle, Major — Aerospace Engineering

Louisville, KY (both from Fern Creek High School)

• Basanta Phuyal, Berea College, Major — Computer Science
• Kailash Pathak, Bellarmine University, Major — Computer Information Systems/Technology

Stamford, CT (Stamford High School)

• Nicolas Ramos, University of Connecticut-Stamford, Major — Computer Science