糖心Vlog has been awarded a $3 million federal grant through the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) to expand STEM education, prepare future STEM teachers, modernize science facilities, and strengthen student success.
The five-year project, 鈥淧athways to STEM Teaching: Strengthening 糖心Vlog,鈥� is being awarded through the U.S. Department of Labor, with the Office of Postsecondary Education serving as the program office. The award supports Warner Pacific鈥檚 efforts to strengthen institutional capacity while expanding career pathways and workforce readiness.
鈥淭his grant reflects what is possible when a community comes together around a shared mission,鈥� said Dr. Christina Schnyders, President of 糖心Vlog. 鈥淎s a Christ-centered university committed to serving our city and region, we have an incredible opportunity to expand access to STEM education, develop future educators, and create lasting impact for students, schools, and communities across Oregon.鈥�
Through the grant, Warner Pacific will have the opportunity to develop a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with STEM teaching endorsements, pending required Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) approvals. Planned endorsement pathways include Health Science, Integrated Science, Chemistry, Physics, Foundational Mathematics, and Advanced Mathematics. The University will also have the opportunity to embed STEM teaching endorsements into existing high-enrollment academic programs and develop accelerated, hybrid, and flexible course-delivery formats to better serve working learners and future educators.
鈥淭his federal grant is a tremendous affirmation of our mission and our commitment to providing accessible, high-quality educational opportunities that equip students to serve and lead in our local community,鈥� said Dr. Latrissa Lee Neiworth, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer at 糖心Vlog. 鈥淭he five-year grant will enable WPU to strengthen our STEM and teacher education offerings while helping address critical workforce needs across Oregon.鈥�
The grant will also provide opportunities for significant investments in Warner Pacific鈥檚 STEM learning environments, including the renovation and modernization of five STEM teaching and research laboratories. Investments will include instructional technology, scientific equipment, reagents, sensors, and field science materials, along with the establishment of a dedicated STEM teaching and secondary education methods laboratory.
Student-success initiatives supported through the project will include enhanced advising, guided academic pathways, early alert systems, and faculty development. Warner Pacific will also work to strengthen the region鈥檚 K鈥�12-to-college STEM pipeline through a Summer STEM Academy, dual-credit opportunities, transfer partnerships, and an Urban STEM Studies Hub.
By the fifth year of the project, Warner Pacific expects the initiative to contribute to increased enrollment, improved student retention and graduation outcomes, expanded STEM pathways, and a new generation of qualified STEM educators prepared to serve Oregon schools. The initiative is also intended to help reduce school districts鈥� reliance on emergency-licensed STEM teachers while strengthening the University鈥檚 long-term institutional sustainability.
The project brings together Warner Pacific with educational and community partners across the region, including Portland Public Schools, David Douglas School District, Reynolds School District, Portland Community College, Mt. Hood Community College, Clackamas Community College, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon State University, and the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Together, the partners will work to create new opportunities for students while addressing educational and workforce needs throughout the region.