If you are interested in grant funding from the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education (NSF ATE) program join the Mentor-Connect Opportunities webinar at 2 p.m. (Eastern) on Wednesday, September 25.

During the webinar, the lead program officer for the NSF ATE program will talk about the new solicitation.

Mentor-Connect leaders will also explain the no-cost mentoring available to help community college faculty navigate the proposal process.

The webinar is free, but registration is required.

Take advantage of this opportunity to gain insights about the NSF ATE program and gain access to expert mentoring—all at no cost!

Klancher, who is also the director of Research and Innovation at CWC’s Alpine Science Institute and an environmental health and science professor at the college, says it took her several attempts before her proposal for GEOBRIDGES was successful.

She advised community college educators who are seeking ATE funding not to give up if their proposals are not successful and to apply for Mentor-Connect mentoring.

Somerset Community College Professor Eric N. Wooldridge, who received the 2024 Science and Society Award from the National Science Board (NSB), wrote his first Advanced Technological Education grant proposal with Mentor-Connect mentoring.

Since 2016 he has served as the principal investigator of four ATE projects and co-principal investigator of another grant. He encourages community college educators who have not had an ATE grant to complete Mentor-Connect’s application for cohort mentoring in 2025 by November 8.

To learn more about Wooldridge’s ATE projects and his NSB award see the ATE Impacts Blog. 

“We are pleased that Brandon has been chosen as a participant in the Mentor Fellowship Internships,” said Charlene Widener, vice president of Educational Services. “The Mentor Connect program assists colleges across the country in development of successful NSF grant proposals. The program will be a valuable professional development opportunity for Brandon and his expertise will benefit not only Northeast but other colleges in Nebraska.” 

Mentor-Connect’s PI 101 for new Advanced Technological Education (ATE) principal investigators (PIs) received the Innovative Program Award at the HI-TEC 2024 Conference on July 31 in Kansas City.

The award recognizes the team led by Pamela Silvers, Mentor-Connect co-principal investigator, for developing and implementing “a significant innovation, which has led to a positive impact on student enrollment, retention, and/or advanced technological education.”

“I was very honored and excited when I found out that PI 101 was nominated and selected, because I do think this is a program that is really going to help the ATE community and help new PIs,” Silvers said.

Mentor-Connect brings first-time PIs up to speed with ATE program requirements. During periodic virtual meeting participants also receive guidance on effective leadership and project management.

Mentor-Connect is an ATE project that is a partnership between the South Carolina Advanced Technological Education Center at Florence-Darlington Technical College and the American Association of Community Colleges.

Brian Michel said, “There's no illusions here that none of it would have been possible without MentorConnect, and we're very much grateful to them for taking us on and working with us and shepherding us through the process.” Niagara’s Mentor-Connect project team in 2020 included Michel and co-principals investigators Mark Voisinet and Joseph Schmidt.