Howard Hughes Medical Institute Grant

Dear all,

I am writing today with exciting news. After many months of collaborative work, our faculty has received a $1 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI).

The HHMI Inclusive Excellence grant will mean that over the next five years, Vassar will train faculty and develop a science curriculum that will enable “clusters” of students and faculty to engage in the comprehensive study of “Grand Challenges,” such as climate change and public health issues that have a global impact. The clusters will be structured in ways that make the study of science more inclusive. Thanks to this generous grant, Vassar is embarking on an exciting and innovative approach to the teaching of science that will benefit the entire student body.

This was an extremely competitive grant, and Vassar was one of the colleges selected thanks to the vision and expertise of the faculty members who wrote the application. I would like to thank Dean of Faculty Jonathan Chenette and members of the grant writing team: Professor of Biology Jodi Schwarz, who is serving as Program Director; Chemistry Professor Teresa Garrett, Education Professor Christopher Bjork, and Associate Professor of Mathematics and Statistics Jan Cameron.

These pending changes in the science curriculum come at a time when Vassar is engaged in implementing other significant modifications to its course work and pedagogy. And the philosophy and values driving these changes are consistent with our Engaged Pluralism Initiative, which is striving to make campus life more inclusive for all students, faculty, and staff.

Please join with me in congratulating Dean Chenette and Profs. Schwarz, Garrett, Bjork, and Cameron for their work in securing this grant.

Elizabeth H. Bradley, President
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
@EHBVassar