Achievement Rewards for Katie Spoon: $7,500 Unrestricted Funds Boosts Final Year of PhD Research

Katie Spoon, a PhD candidate in the Department of Computer Science, has been awarded an Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) scholarship. This achievement means that she will receive $7,500 in unrestricted funds, allowing her to focus on her research during the final year of her PhD. Until now, Spoon has been funded by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship for the past three years. However, this funding is set to end in August.

Spoon’s receipt of this scholarship will allow her to dedicate herself fully to her research without worrying about financial constraints. With this newfound support, she plans to pursue two major projects that rely on restricted-use government data. These projects involve collaborating with various organizations to analyze data related to STEM career access for students from different backgrounds and study earnings gaps in academia across various demographics.

The process of receiving the scholarship involved a nomination process that allowed students to self-nominate. Spoon applied by providing information about her research experiences, career plans, and motivations for seeking the scholarship. This recognition and support will be instrumental in helping her achieve her goals during the final year of her PhD.

In conclusion, Katie Spoon’s awarding of an ARCS scholarship is a significant achievement that will enable her to pursue two major projects that require restricted-use government data while dedicating herself fully to her research during the final year of her PhD.