Long Beach City College will use a $3 million federal grant to create a STEM program aimed at Latino and low-income students, the college announced today.

The grant, from the U.S. Department of Education, will fund a program called DESTINO: Developing Engaging STEM Through Innovative New Opportunities. The goal of the program is to “innovate STEM teaching strategies to support historically underrepresented student groups,” as well as ensure equity in support and investment for students in STEM, according to a statement from the college.

The grant will be distributed to LBCC over the next five years.

“Because we are a nationally recognized Hispanic Serving Institution, this grant will greatly help significantly assist our Latinx and low-income students improve in the area of STEM,” Vivian Malauulu, president of the LBCCD Board of Trustees, said in a written statement. “Destino is Spanish for destination. LBCC is determined to ensure that our students’ ultimate destino is success!”

The funding will be used to hire a team of faculty and staff for the Science Resource Center as well as a STEM counselor and academic support staff, host a STEM-focused summer bridge program that will help local high school graduates transition to LBCC, host STEM-focused outreach events for future students and the community, and conduct financial literacy workshops for students.