Nov 30, 2011 - Claremont, Calif. - The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has awarded $600,000 to Harvey Mudd College to support a summer program that positions incoming freshmen for academic and personal success.
 
The grant will fund HMC’s Summer Institute (SI) for the next three years, supporting academic and co-curricular activities and enabling SI scholars to participate in a 10-week summer research project following completion of their first year at HMC.
 
“Every student that comes to Harvey Mudd College is exceptionally talented and passionate about studying science, engineering and mathematics,” said HMC President Maria Klawe. “We are honored to have the Mellon Foundation partner with us to help students who need that extra boost make a successful transition from high school to college.”
 
SI primarily targets those who are underrepresented in science, math and engineering (women, first-generation college students and students of color), but participation is not limited to only underrepresented groups.
 
The program immerses SI scholars in workshops and exercises that bolster their academic, social, and leadership skills along with their confidence. Student mentors help with homework, co-curricular activities and introduction to HMC culture. SI scholarships include room and board, plus a $1500 stipend. SI scholars also receive an award worth up to $5,000, which can be used the summer immediately following their first year at HMC to participate in summer research or HMC’s summer math program.
 
In 2011, SI was revised and expanded from two-and-a-half weeks to four, adding an academic component centered on Writ 1, an introduction to academic writing course that is typically taken in the fall of freshman year. SI scholars also participate in math, physics and robotics workshops, diversity exercises and a community service project.