“This scholarship means that I won’t have to worry about tuition and it will help me further my education,” said Kelly, who is a Bachelor of Science in Biology major. “I’m excited to be a part of the Marie Curie Scholars. It’s a great group of motivated women.”

Marie Curie Scholars receive tuition support of up to $20,000 each year, up to $80,000 over four years.

Kelly plans to become an occupational therapist specializing in children with autism. A passion that came from volunteering with Special Olympics and nannying two boys during the summers.

“I’ve always been involved with people with different abilities,” she said. “I love the kids that I work with as a nanny. It’s something I’m passionate about.”

Her exposure to occupational therapy came from her mom, who is a physical therapist and runs a physical and occupational therapy clinic. The clinic also hosts Special Olympic events.

“I’ve loved learning about all the occupational therapy equipment that helps people with their daily lives,” Kelly said.

The Marie Curie Scholars program provides an intentional four-year plan for each cohort of scholars that helps participants succeed in their STEM courses. Scholars are invited to participate in peer bonding activities and skill-based courses that help them transition from high school to college. Throughout the program, the students receive free tutoring and faculty mentoring. They participate in skill-based workshops and mentored research and internships.

Marie Curie Scholars also have access to prestigious research and professional development opportunities provided by the National Institute of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation, American Association for the Advancement of Science and NASA. Students attend national conferences and present their research findings.

To prepare for their STEM careers, they attend speaker presentations and networking events with potential employers.

The STEM scholarship is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation.