Mentoring Opportunities for USU STEM Students with Disabilities

By Matthew Wappett, IDRPP Executive Director | September 13, 2024

A young woman in a wheelchair with dark skin looks contemplative

Application deadline: September 27

Students at Utah State University in Logan are invited to apply for an NSF-funded mentoring program. This opportunity is open to any student in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) who self-reports a disability, including freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students. Students selected for this program will gain valuable skills to help them succeed in college and transition to graduate school or employment.

Program benefits

  • Students selected will receive $500 per semester for the 2024-2025 academic year for actively participating in mentoring workshops, events, and meetings, plus:
  • Group mentoring meetings with faculty and guest speakers on topics such as time management, study skills, course selection, internships, research opportunities, etc.
  • Mentoring opportunities with other USU STEM students with disabilities;
  • Connections to faculty and programs that encourage STEM research;
  • National and regional professional development training events;
  • Financial support to attend research and mentoring conferences; and
  • Preparation for entry requirements into graduate schools.

Eligibility Requirements

  1. Be a full-time student enrolled at Utah State University
  2. Be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in a STEM-related discipline
  3. Be a U.S. Citizen, a national, or a lawfully admitted permanent resident alien with a documented qualifying condition
  4. Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
  5. Students must self-report their disability and be comfortable identifying as a STEM student with a disability.

Participation Requirements

To maintain eligibility and earn stipends participants must: 

  1. Attend monthly meetings with faculty/staff and other students in the program
  2. Document at least 1 hour of traditional and/or online mentoring activities per week
  3. Participate in enrichment activities, such as academic/career workshops and professional meetings
  4. Remain enrolled full-time in a STEM degree program with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Apply now!

STEM FACULTY: Please distribute this post widely, especially to students you know would benefit from participation in this program. If you interested in being a faculty mentor, reach out to Matthew Wappett, Ph.D.   

This opportunity is made possible through the NSF INCLUDES Alliance: The Alliance for Students with Disabilities for Inclusion, Networking, and Transition Opportunities in STEM (TAPDINTO-STEM). It is a collaborative project funded by the National Science Foundation with the goal of increasing the quantity of students with disabilities receiving associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Utah State University is part of TAPDINTO-STEM's Mountain Hub.

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