Seven students with majors in the College of Arts and Sciences are among ten who participated in the National Science Foundation-funded STEM CONNECT program and will graduate in May 2023 or August 2023.
STEM CONNECT supports low-income students to persist in math and computer science intensive degrees, with emphasis on underrepresented minorities, women, rural and first-generation students. Because student success hinges on more than financial support, the STEM CONNECT program fosters students’ ability to succeed through professional development for students, academic support structures such as study groups, and mentorship, in addition to awarding up to $8,000 per year in scholarship funds.
“The STEM CONNECT program completely changed my life path," said Ronit Gandhi, a biochemistry and mathematics double major, who started in the first cohort. "The support to focus on math redefined my interests and helped me choose a path that fits me better. With my experience as both a mentee and mentor, I feel that I have grown so much through my time in the program. The program introduced me to a new field of science and showed me how to navigate it."
CAS students:
- Michael Bean, B.S. in mathematics, Bellevue, Nebraska
Bean plans to join the workforce as a statistician or data scientist. - Philip Chohon, B.S. in mathematics, Wahoo, Nebraska
Chohon has accepted an internship at LI-COR as an applications analyst. - Grace Farson, B.S. in mathematics, Papillion, Nebraska
Farson will continue her education at the University of Wisconsin, pursuing a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. - Ronit Gandhi, B.S. in biochemistry and B.S. mathematics, Omaha, Nebraska
Gandhi will continue his education at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, pursuing a Ph.D. in biostatistics. - Alexander Muenster, B.S. in mathematics, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Muenster plans to become a Naval Officer following graduation. - Spencer Schmidt, B.S. in mathematics and geology, Diller, Nebraska
Schmidt has accepted a position working with Olsson as a field geologist. - Cleve Young, B.S. in mathematics, Decatur, Nebraska
Young will continue his education at Nebraska, pursuing a Ph.D. in mathematics. He will be funded by the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
STEM CONNECT is funded by the National Science Foundation’s S-STEM program in partnership with Southeast Community College and Western Nebraska Community College, and students receive scholarship support at all three campuses. The program has seen several community college students graduate and transfer to Nebraska, but this year represents the largest cohort of graduates from Nebraska. Currently, 15 of the students supported by the program are community college transfers, with six more expected over the next year.
