The Center of Excellence for Minority Women in STEM (COE-MWS) expands on Spelman College’s effective strategies to educate Black women in STEM and strengthens and deepens the knowledge and experiences afforded to our students and faculty through partnerships with industry, academia and governmental agencies.
Serving as the foundation for the COE-MWS are its three pillars of excellence: (i) Research, (ii) Academic Advancement, and (iii) Leadership & Professional Development. Guided by the pillars, and through collaboration with and funding from the Department of Defense, the COE-MWS serves as the hub for all STEM undergraduate research, training and programmatic activities in the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
The COE-MWS constantly evaluates and expands its programs and partnerships to meet the ever-changing needs of its community. Currently, the Center is focused on the development and implementation of programs designed to:
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Strengthen faculty and student research opportunities and engagement in emerging STEM fields, such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum science, bioinformatics, and nanotechnology, through collaboration with higher education, industry and government partners;
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Fund scholarships for students who show interest in pursuing graduate degrees in STEM as well as potential for long-term success in STEM research careers;
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Host conversations showcasing cutting edge, interdisciplinary research being conducted by prominent women of color in STEM disciplines; and
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Create and disseminate best practices for the preparation and advancement of minority women in STEM.