Funded by the Henry Luce Foundation, Simmons has awarded six scholarships to sophomores pursuing accelerated dual-degree engineering and STEM-related bachelor’s degrees.
Simmons University recently received a substantial grant from the Henry Luce Foundation to support the education and professionalization of women in STEM. As stated on the Luce Foundation’s website, “The Clare Boothe Luce Program for Women in STEM and STEM Convergence [aspires] to close the gender gap in the field, broaden the participation of women from diverse backgrounds, and advance women-led STEM innovation for positive social change.” The Foundation’s Women in STEM program is named in honor of Clare Boothe Luce (1903–1987), an American writer, politician, and diplomat who was married to Henry R. Luce, co-founder of Time and Life magazines.
As part of this award, Simmons’ 3+2 Engineering Program will name six sophomores each year as Clare Boothe Luce Scholars, recognizing their valuable contributions and commitment to academic excellence. The 2025–2026 Clare Boothe Luce Scholars are: Jingwen Pan ’27, Selma Rahman ’26, Chloe To ’27, MJ Vasquez ’26, Sydney Whalen ’26, and Anya Younie ’26.
Responding to this recognition, Jingwen Pan commented, “Being named a Clare Boothe Luce Scholar is a tremendous honor, and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunities Simmons has provided to explore my passion for mathematics. The supportive environment here — especially the mentorship from faculty and collaboration with fellow women in STEM — has been instrumental in my growth. I hope to use this recognition to inspire other underrepresented students to pursue their scientific curiosity fearlessly.”
For Chloe To, “Having been honored to receive this scholarship has inspired me to keep chasing my dream of becoming a chemical engineer. As an international student, I’ve found a supportive community at Simmons where I can do research, grow in science, and feel like I belong. It means a lot to be part of a place that truly supports women and others in STEM.”
Being a student in the 3+2 Engineering Program, in the words of Selma Rahman, “has pushed me to think more critically and grow both technically and personally. Studying STEM at a women-centered university has helped me stay motivated and confident in pursuing my interests. Receiving the Clare Boothe Luce Scholarship is a meaningful encouragement to keep moving forward. I’m really thankful for my professors, mentors, and family who’ve supported me throughout my academic journey.”
In addition to scholarships supporting female students in STEM, the grant funding also supports the Clare Boothe Luce Professorship for a female faculty member in a scientific discipline. Dr. Shreya Bhattacharyya, an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Physics, has assumed this distinguished position.
“At Simmons, we provide an ideal environment for women in STEM, and our faculty is deeply committed to mentorship and empowering students to reach their full potential,” Professor Bhattacharyya explains. “The Clare Boothe Luce scholarship not only opens doors to cutting-edge research and education but also fosters a community where women can thrive. I look forward to contributing to this vibrant community and advancing the representation of women in engineering by supporting students in our 3+2 Engineering Program.”