Program Overview

Introduction to the STARSS Program

The STARSS program, which stands for Scholarships Targeting Academically Rising Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Students, is designed to support high-achieving, Pell-grant eligible students in STEM disciplines that require Calculus I. This program is funded by a $1.9M grant from the National Science Foundation and will offer scholarships and more to 60 full-time undergraduate students majoring in specific STEM fields.

Benefits of the STARSS Program

• Scholarships: The STARSS scholarship is a "last dollar" scholarship, which means it covers any remaining tuition and fees after federal financial aid and other scholarships have been applied.
• Community: Participants will get to know other STARSS recipients through classes and social events, helping to build a STEM community at Southern Miss.
• Mentoring: A faculty mentor in the student's area of study will be available to answer questions and guide them on their path to a STEM degree.
• Coaching: An academic coach trained by the Center for Student Success will help with time management, study skills, and developing healthy habits, and one-on-one tutoring is available through TRIO Student Support Services.
• Pathways: The Center for Pathway Experiences will help students find, fund, and finish internships, externships, field experiences, and research that will give them a head start on their future career.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the STARSS program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
• Full-time, degree-seeking undergraduates in a STEM major requiring Calculus I
• ACT composite score between 22 and 30
• High school GPA between 3.321 and 3.951
• Pell Grant eligible
• Successful interview

Eligible STEM Majors

The following STEM majors are eligible for the STARSS program:

• Biochemistry
• Chemistry
• Forensic Biology
• Forensic Chemistry
• Geology
• Oceanography
• Physics
• Computer Science
• Computer Engineering
• Ocean Engineering
• Polymer Science and Engineering
• Mathematics

Careers in STEM Fields

Southern Miss Career Services offers access to a website that lists career paths, employers, strategies for success, and job outlook for over 100 majors, including those in STEM fields.

Faculty Mentors

The STARSS program includes faculty mentors from various STEM fields who are dedicated to helping students succeed. These mentors include:

Chemistry

• Dr. Hugh Broome: Teaches general chemistry and is interested in research focused on improving student learning gains in chemistry.
• Dr. Doug Masterson: Conducted postdoctoral studies in free radical chemistry and mass spectrometry, and his research interests include chemical education and student success in science.

Polymer Engineering

• Dr. Heather Broadhead: Earned her Ph.D. in polymer science and engineering and focuses on polymers for biomedical and personal care applications.

Geology

• Dr. Alyson Brink: Received her Ph.D. in geoscience/vertebrate paleontology and specializes in vertebrate paleontology, Late Cretaceous mammals, and paleogeography.

Marine Science

• Dr. Joris Van der Ham: Received his Ph.D. in environmental and evolutionary biology.

Ocean Engineering

• Dr. Kemal Cambazoglu: Received his Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering with an emphasis on coastal engineering and minor in oceanography.

Mathematics

• Dr. Sarah Wright: Received her Ph.D. in computational mathematics and is an assistant professor of teaching in mathematics, with research interests in numerical analysis.

Forensic Science

• Dr. Xuyang He: Specializes in forensic chemistry.

Computer Science & Engineering

• Dr. Nick Rahimi: Focuses on cybersecurity, trustworthy AI, decentralized systems, brain-computer interface security, digital warfare, and computing sciences education.

Physics

• Dr. Katja Biswas: Received her Ph.D. from Mississippi State University and specializes in computational and statistical physics, optimization and energy landscapes, and spin glasses.