Webster University has secured a $746,008 grant from the National Science Foundation to support the Connect-HPC project. This three-year initiative aims to bridge the gap in high-performance computing education across Missouri by linking Webster University with four other regional institutions: Missouri Western State University, Drury University, Truman State University, and Southeast Missouri State University.
Led by Professor Xiaoyuan Suo, the project focuses on training 40 STEM instructors to weave computational methods directly into existing coursework. By avoiding the need for complete curricular overhauls, the program provides a low-barrier way for students to gain essential skills in distributed computing and algorithmic design. The initiative plans to reach more than 800 undergraduate students across the five participating campuses.
This funding marks a significant milestone in Missouri's technical education landscape. Professor Suo, who also received an NSF CyberTraining grant earlier this year, noted that industry demand for high-performance computing skills is growing at a rapid rate. The project structure relies on summer workshops and a sustained mentoring network to ensure that both faculty and students remain equipped to tackle real-world scientific problems.
Beyond individual coursework, Connect-HPC acts as a scalable model for other universities to adopt. The project team includes co-principal investigators from each partner school, reflecting a coordinated effort to standardize and improve technical literacy throughout the state. As data requirements in the workforce shift, this program prepares the next generation of STEM professionals for high-level research and technical roles.
The grant follows a previous 2023 NSF award that also targeted computing education expansion. By building on these past initiatives, Webster University continues to solidify its status as a central hub for technological workforce development. The Connect-HPC project serves as a clear indication of how targeted academic collaboration can produce tangible results for regional economic and educational growth.