MdBio Foundation Renews Support for Montgomery College Biotechnology Students
The MdBio Foundation issued its fifth grant to Montgomery College this past September, providing support that will bolster the College’s scholarship funds to biotechnology students.
In total, over the last six years, the foundation has provided grants totaling $60,000, which has allowed the College to award 65 scholarships to deserving students. Recipients of the MdBio Scholarship demonstrate both strong academic accomplishment by earning a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and financial need.
“Encouraging students to pursue bioscience careers and building a strong workforce for the state’s growing biotechnology sector are important components of our mission,” explained MdBio Foundation CEO Brian Gaines. “We are pleased to help these talented Montgomery College students complete their education and move into biotechnology careers.”
One recent scholarship recipient, Adele, became a single mother after the passing of her husband. “Moving to America from Cameroon was a very big step for me. I had just lost my husband and I had to think about my child’s future,” she wrote. “…As of now, my salary alone cannot fully support my goal to get a degree in Biotech. The only way I can realize this dream, my key to a better future, is through this scholarship.”
The MdBio Foundation also partners with the College on other educational initiatives, including the Young Science Explorers Program (YSEP) summer workshop for rising seventh and eighth grade students.
“We very much appreciate our long-standing collaboration with the MdBio Foundation to meet our shared goals of supporting the success of our current biotechnology students and encouraging students at all levels to pursue careers in the sciences,” said Kathy Michaelian, instructional dean for Business/Science/Math/Technology.
About the Montgomery College Biotechnology Program
Students in Montgomery College’s biotechnology program can enroll in an associate of applied science degree in biotechnology or certificate programs in biotechnology and biomanufacturing. Programs focus on the development of basic skills and thought processes critical to success in a laboratory environment, and students work with state-of-the-art equipment. The certificate curriculums are designed to prepare students for immediate employment, and they attract a significant number of industry employees seeking to upgrade their skills. The associate’s degree prepares graduates either to enroll in a bachelor of science program or to immediately enter the workforce.
About the MdBio Foundation
MdBio Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides innovative, effective, and experiential STEM education opportunities with a focus on bioscience. The Foundation’s interdisciplinary approach uses science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to explore real-world, problem-centric curriculum that bridges school, community, health, and business.
MdBio Foundation’s flagship education program MdBioLab, a mobile laboratory for high schools, has provided quality educational experiences to more than 100,000 students throughout the state of Maryland since its launch in 2003. The Foundation also operates other celebrated STEM education programs such as the Young Science Explorers Program for middle school students, The Maryland BioGENEius Award and its leading-edge educational game platform MdBioSphere.
Click here to visit MdBio Foundation’s website.
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Montgomery College is a public, open admissions community college with campuses in Germantown, Rockville, and Takoma Park/Silver Spring, plus workforce development/continuing education centers and off-site programs throughout Montgomery County, Md. The College serves nearly 60,000 students a year, through both credit and noncredit programs, in more than 130 areas of study.
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