An Initiative to Strengthen the Natural Sciences: a Central Component of Liberal Education

三批八名学术天赋，经济困难的学生主修STEM学科，每年获得为期两年的奖学金，金额为10，000美元。 这些学者是从两个学生群体中招募的，一个是大一新生，另一个是从斯克内克塔迪县社区学院转学过来的。斯克内克塔迪县社区学院是一所与斯基德莫尔签订了衔接协议的地区社区学院。 该机构最初是一所女子学院，仍然以女性为主，女性占学生总数的59%。 2001 - 2006年期间，从学生的构成来看，妇女获得了57%的STEM学位，并强调增加STEM学科专业和毕业的少数民族人数。 该项目是建立在目前的项目提供学术支持，并培养来自不同背景的学生之间的社区意识。 与学院的机会计划，解决教育和经济上处于不利地位的学生的需求合作，使这些学生脱颖而出。

Three cohorts of eight academically talented, financially needy students majoring in STEM disciplines are being awarded two-year scholarships in the amount of $10,000 annually. The scholars are being recruited from two student groups, incoming freshman and transfers from Schenectady County Community College - a regional community college that has an articulation agreement with Skidmore. The institution originated as a women''s college and remains predominately female with women constituting 59% of the student body . Reflective of the student body composition, women earned 57% of the STEM degrees awarded during the 2001 -2006 period.Increasing the number of minorities majoring and graduating in STEM disciplines is being emphasized. The project is building on current programs providing academic support and is fostering a sense of community among students from disparate backgrounds. Collaboration with the college's Opportunity Programs that address the needs of educationally and economically disadvantaged students is enabling these students to excel.