West Virginia University and two other institutions of higher learning in the state will share in a $2.5 million grant to attract, retain and graduate underrepresented students in so-called STEM studies.
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, all fields of study that have lagged when it comes to minority student representation.
The five-year grant is from the National Science Foundation. It establishes a nine-university alliance to achieve the goal of attracting more minority students into STEM studies.
Among the alliance schools in the state are West Virginia State University and Marshall University.
The grant will fund programs and initiatives at member institutions to increase diversity in STEM fields.