Kean University Professor Patricia Morreale of Millburn Receives NSF Grant to Fund Computer Science, Information Technology Scholarships

UNION – Kean University Associate Professor Patricia A. Morreale, Ph.D., a resident of Millburn, has received a $621,925 grant from the National Science Foundation that will provide 40 students with two-year scholarships to study Computer Science and Information Technology.

“Our goal is to prepare students to enter the scientific workforce or graduate school as competent, highly trained individuals,” said Dr. Morreale, Chair of Kean’s Department of Computer Science. “The students will be skilled in teamwork and research, serve as role models to members of their communities and contribute to increased diversity in the fields of Computer Science and Information Technology.”

Dr. Morreale created “Project ASK: Applying Student Knowledge (ASK) for Success in Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT)” to increase the number of academically talented, financially needy students graduating with undergraduate degrees in CS and IT. The grant will support 40 transfer students and juniors who will become ASK Scholars.

“Research has shown that workshops, outside of the classroom, where students discuss their problem solving skills, focusing on the process of problem solving, not just the product, have been very important to increasing retention and success in mathematics and computer science,” said Dr. Morreale. “The students will participate in weekly workshops, group experiences, and interact closely with faculty members who provide academic and professional support through advising and mentoring. They will gain leadership experience from participating in professional student organizations and local and regional programming contests.”

Students interested in the scholarships can apply at Kean.edu/KU/Computer-Science; all application materials and eligibility requirements are available online.

A nationally recognized innovator in computer science and information technology, Dr. Morreale was recently elected to a three-year term as a Councilor of the Council on Undergraduate Research, an appointment to the national leadership organization’s governing board. Last year, she was appointed to a three-year term as co-chair of the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Academic Alliance.

Dr. Morreale’s current research focuses on multimedia system design, including web and mobile systems, and computer science education. She received a previous NSF grant to support 20 Kean scholarships for Computer Science students, all of whom have graduated. She is the creator of Street Corners, architecture for the correlation of real-time networked environmental sensors, and has a patent in the design of real-time database systems. In addition to NSF, Dr. Morreale’s research is funded by grants from Google and the Computing Research Association.

ABOUT KEAN UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1855, Kean University is one of the largest metropolitan institutions of higher education in the region, boasting a richly diverse student, faculty and staff population. Kean continues to play a key role in the training of teachers and is a hub of educational, technological and cultural enrichment serving nearly 15,000 students. The Nathan Weiss Graduate College offers three doctorate degree programs and more than 60 options for graduate study leading to master’s degrees, professional diplomas or certifications. The University’s five undergraduate colleges offer 49 undergraduate degrees over a full range of academic subjects. With campuses in Union Township, NJ, Toms River, NJ and Wenzhou, China, Kean University provides a world-class education.