Department Spotlight | AC STEM Scholars
Jumpstarting Excellence
“I will use my past to push me into not a mess of mush and mold, but a spot of fertile ground, ready to let a new flower bloom in my place.”
Freshman Isabelle Vazquez, a member of Cohort III of the 2024-2025 academic year, ended her summer with this perspective of her Amarillo College experience as well as her future. She, along with the rest of the newest cohort of 26 students in the STEM Scholars program now have an enlightened vision of their future with realistic expectations of what the fall semester will bring. After participating in the STEM Scholars intensive 7-week summer bridge program where they built holistic skills and elevated academic performance aptitudes, our Cohort III members successfully boast the following accomplishments:
- 100% successful completion rate in EDUC 1100
- 100% successful completion and passing rate in STEM Algebra, Trigonometry, or Chemistry with a whopping 73% of them ending with a 4.0 GPA for the summer course
- Collectively logged over 1200 hours in the Math and Science tutoring centers on campus
- Participated in a national Rep4 focus group with Dr. Stovall and Amy Pifer where they came up with innovative solutions for and presented on: Financial Aid awareness for high school students who will enter college in the next 2 years, clarification of majors to career, and time management.
- Toured of BSA Hospital with exposure to different STEM career areas
- Project-based Learning course where they were exposed to group learning through elements of Engineering and Biology
- Lunch and Learns where they were exposed to industry professionals who gave them insight on careers and advice on pathways
These and many more intangible accomplishments were reached this summer.
Freshman Christian Flores said, “…being a member of Cohort III has made a lasting positive impression on my future, by providing me with a strong academic foundation, valuable mentorship, and a community of support…”.
The STEM Scholars program will continue with these and previous cohorts with programming and advising this academic year to ensure these students stay on their career pathway alignment with the support and mentorship needed to be successful in their pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. Students are required as a part of the program to meet the minimum requirements of:
- Participate in Summer Bridge I-all components (Summer 2024)
- Participate in Summer Bridge II-all components (Summer 2025)
- Attend Lunch and Learn sessions throughout the year
- Attend monthly one-on-one mentoring sessions with STEM Scholars Program Coordinator and 2 STEM Scholars group meetings each semester
- Attend all classes and activities unless there are exceptional circumstances
- Maintain enrollment in at least 12 credit hours each Fall and Spring
- Maintain enrollment in each semester until you are ready to transfer to a 4-year institution
- Maintain 3.0 cumulative GPA or you be required additional success measures to complete
Blog written by April Ramirez
