The University of South Carolina Upstate has received a $50,000 award from Power:Ed to prepare state students for careers in the life sciences. Funds will support the summer research program ER(Up)T, short for Engaged Research and Training at Upstate.
ER(Up)T provides USC Upstate students an opportunity to engage in faculty-mentored research in the biomedical sciences, to be paid $3,800 for their full-time eight-week summer research internship, to participate in career development workshops, and to present their research at local and regional conferences.
“Power:Ed is proud to support USC Upstate’s vital biomedical education and workforce development programs to inspire the next generation of biomedical scientists in South Carolina,” said Claire Gibbons, director of Power:Ed, a philanthropy of SC Student Loan. “The goal of this summer research is to improve degree completion and create STEM career pathways that offer social mobility and quality employment opportunities for USC Upstate students.”
“We greatly appreciate Power:Ed and its commitment to our students and the community,” said USC Upstate Chancellor Bennie L. Harris, Ph.D. “There are tremendous opportunities in biomedical research across South Carolina, and these funds will support our efforts to provide life-changing opportunities and significantly impact this growing industry.”
ER(Up)T program director Josh Ruppel, Ph.D., who serves as director of research and a professor of chemistry at USC Upstate, said the Power:Ed funding will create additional paid research experiences for students.
“We are absolutely thrilled to receive this funding from Power:Ed,” Ruppel said. “It almost seems like the opportunity afforded by this organization was a perfect match for our program, as both are focused on supporting student success and developing South Carolina’s workforce. ER(Up)T students will not only benefit from the experience academically, but they will also take away valuable skills and tools to help build their future careers.
Gibbons said Power:Ed plans to invest $900,000 this year in education and career readiness organizations across the state. She said 17 nonprofits have been funded so far this year.
Grants are administered quarterly. The next grant application deadline is April 1. South Carolina organizations serving middle school through post-college talent are interested in applying for a grant or partnering with Power:Ed are encouraged to visit https://www.power-ed.org/.
About Power:Ed
Founded in 2019, Power:Ed is dedicated to creating transformative opportunities for South Carolina youths and adults by supporting low-income, minority, and first-generation students; improving access to college and degree completion; and creating pathways to quality workforce opportunities.