About STEM Scholars | STEM Scholars | The University of Vermont(title)

STEM Scholars will participate in research, intergroup dialogue, self-advocacy, and leadership activities while completing their degree starting with a six-week summer bridge program taking coursework, working in a research lab, and developing technical skills.

Students collaborating in the Library

While gaining valuable new skills through coursework, leadership retreats, and monthly programming, an intentionally designed program of support will help our STEM Scholars achieve academic excellence and career, research, and graduate school readiness.  All students will participate in a minimum of two paid internships that are either a summer or a semester-long:  a research-focused internship and an internship in industry or a medical facility.

 

Definition of Leadership

Leadership is the ability to influence and guide the direction forward for oneself and others.  Becoming a leader might mean becoming the president of a club, but it can be many other things as well.  It is discovering your passions and what you want to improve in the world, and then developing the skills and seeking the opportunities to make a difference.  This could be through developing deep expertise in a field that you share with others, improving the culture of inclusion on a club team, or developing a project to help a local school community. Leadership is serving as a role model and helping others live up to the high standards of Our Common Ground.

STEM Scholars: Leading Change is a four-year program carefully curated to build experience and leadership skills progressively. The path described below shares what a student can expect in each of the four years:

STEM Scholars Pathway

Pre-Matriculation Summer

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eSTEM students on a research boat excursion

STEM Scholars Bridge Program

The program starts in July before the students’ first year with a six-week program.  The first 4 weeks of the summer program will include: 

  • a 3-credit intergroup dialogue course that will fulfill a general education requirement
  • a paid laboratory experience (6 hours a week)
  • specific STEM skill-building sessions (3D printing, Computer Coding, Lab Skills, Computer Aided Design)
  • leadership workshops
  • meetings with the President and the Provost
  • visits to industry, 
  • and a lot of fun events exploring Vermont

The last two weeks of the program will offer students the chance to engage with the local community and other UVM students through service opportunities and community-building programming. The program is free to all participants. 

 

 

First Year

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CEMS students meeting industry professionals over dinner

During the First Year, students live together in the same residence hall with programming in the residence halls for STEM Scholars Leading Change residents. In addition, there are a range of activities and support for Scholars, including:

  • STEM Career Coach Meetings (2) – Prepare Resume, attend career fair, practice interviews, with the goal of finding an internship or on campus research position in one of the first two summers.
  • Weekly Study Hours with Academic Support
  • Participate in Community Outreach
  • Academic Advisor Meetings
  • Exclusive STEM Scholars Events — leadership, fun, team building
  • Leadership Retreat
  • Weekly Dinners with Campus and Industry Leaders. Example dinner topics: 
    • Finding your leadership strengths 
    • Cultural Humility and Openness
    • Walking the Walk 
    • Building Community 
    • Community Outreach 
    • STEM Leaders in the 21st Century 
    • Success Stories in Inclusive Excellence 
    • Top 20 places to work and why 

 

 

 

Sophomore Year

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CEMS student meeting with industry mentor

The second-year program is similar to the first without the required study hours, though Scholars are still welcome to participate.  Scholars will continue to build their leadership portfolio and career skills, including:

  • STEM Career Coach Meetings to continue building the skills and experiences needed to achieve your career goals
  • The opportunity to mentor incoming STEM Scholar cohort
  • Focused support for developing a study abroad plan
  • Community Outreach
  • Academic Advisor Meetings
  • Exclusive STEM Scholars Events — leadership, fun, team building
  • Leadership retreat 
  • Weekly Dinners with Campus and Industry Leaders

 

 

 

Junior Year

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CAS student studying abroad

In the Junior and Senior Years, Scholars are not required to live on campus.  Academic and Career advising will continue along with focused high impact learning experiences such as:

  • Study Abroad
  • On-campus research or project-based work encouraged
  • Club Leadership
  • Focused development of leadership portfolio
  • Leadership Retreat
  • Continuation of STEM Coaching and Academic Advising:  Looking ahead to graduate school/med school/other pathways
  • Continued participation in the leadership retreat

 

 

 

Senior Year

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Senior CEMS students at work on their capstone project

As you enter your senior year, the goal is for you to have a strong understanding of your career interests, and we will support you as you complete your leadership training and pursue your career passions.  We will encourage you to:

  • Work in a research lab or work part time with a previous internship employer
  • Collaborate on your senior Capstone project
  • Continue of STEM Coaching and Academic Advising
  • Attend the workshops on winning prestigious graduate and medical school fellowships
  • Apply to graduate or professional schools or find a full time position that guides you in that direction.

 

 

 

Students dining together D'lo speaks at the 2023 Inclusive Excellence Symposium Students at CS Fair

Cultivating New Leaders

The program will not only allow students to excel in their chosen STEM discipline but also leverage valuable opportunities through networking, mentorship, and dialogue to develop the skills to become technological and social leaders.

Learn how to apply

The STEM Scholars program offers unique opportunities for students to realize their potential:

Networking

Scholars will live in the same residence hall for their first two years and have meals together at least once a week. The weekly dinners will offer the opportunity for students to meet with STEM faculty, administrators, community leaders, and heads of local enterprises. 

Career Coaching

During the first year Scholars will be provided with focused study time, which will include opportunities to meet with faculty and GTAs from their foundational STEM courses. Scholars will also have a twice a semester meeting with a STEM Career Coach as they learn what they are passionate about and develop a portfolio of activities and skills that enhance their competitiveness for graduate school, medical school, and industry early career leadership programs. The STEM Career Coach, as well as the Fellowship Opportunities and Undergraduate Research (FOUR) office will also support the students as they find their research and internship opportunities.  

Leadership

Scholars will participate in an annual leadership retreat led by campus DEI and leadership development experts. Scholars will have an upper-class mentor, a faculty advisor, and the learning community will have full time staff member to manage program components as well as engage students in the Community Learning Model through themed activities and fun opportunities to meet students beyond the STEM Scholars program.

Example Leadership Retreat Topics
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  • Leading Change 
  • The Impact of Inclusive Spaces on Program and People’s success
  • The Role of Advocacy in Making Change 
  • STEM Careers and Social Change 
  • Using Data for Impact 
Example dinner topics
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  • Finding your leadership strengths
  • Cultural Humility
  • Walking the Walk
  • Building Community
  • Community Outreach
  • STEM Leaders in the 21st Century
  • Success stories in Inclusive Excellence
  • Top 20 places to work  and why