The Pathways to Research Program is a collaboration between NSF PRISM and the Louis Stokes North Star STEM Alliance (LS-NSSA). It addresses disparities in research opportunities for underrepresented students, especially at community colleges, by providing an authentic research experience for first- and second-year undergraduate students, majoring in any STEM discipline(s), with no prior research experience. The opportunity engages students more deeply in their STEM disciplines through research, faculty mentorship, professional development, and preparation for graduate school. The first cohort was composed of 9 students: 4 from Normandale Community College, 2 from Century College, and 3 from St. Olaf College. During the 6-week program, students worked with faculty from Century College, Minneapolis College, Augsburg University, and UMN-TC to develop their laboratory, research, and professional development skills to prepare them for advanced educational opportunities. The program culminated with a research expo at the University of Minnesota where participants presented a research poster. 
Happenings
White House Science and Technology Advisors Meet with STEM Students
The Director of White House Office of Science and Technology Arati Prabhakar and Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology Laurie E. Locascio visited Normandale on May 13 to talk with STEM students and faculty and staff, including several PRISM Scholars and co PIs Karen Anderson and Avani Shah.
Read the full article at Normandale.com
Century College Highlights PRISM Scholar Marco Moriarity
Marco Moriarty loves to take on new challenges. When he chose Century College, it was because of its affordability and proximity to his home. Initially, he took General Education courses and studied business. However, after a break, he realized that he needed to be more strategic and challenge himself further. Fueled by his thirst for knowledge, he decided to return to Century College and shift his focus to engineering.
NSF Grant Puts STEM Students on Transfer Pathways
Sixteen student scholars and eight faculty advisors make up the current S-Stem Cohort. This cohort is made possible by a grant of $850,000 awarded to Minneapolis College from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to improve Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) scholastic and career opportunities for talented, low-income students.
Minneapolis College is in the third year of this initiative, which includes collaboration with other Higher Ed institutions. The project, “Collaborative Research: Partnership Pathways to Improve the Professional Preparation of Low-Income Students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in Minnesota,” at Minneapolis College is led by Director/Principal Investigator (PI), Renu Kumar, Ph.D. (Biology Faculty Member) with support from Co-PI, Carmen Buhler (Math Faculty Member).
8th Annual Applying for Paid Research Experiences in STEM Workshop Takes Place at Augsburg
On November 9th Augsburg University hosted the 8th Annual Applying for Paid Research Experiences in STEM Workshop and Dinner. The event drew over 75 students, staff, and faculty from Augsburg University, Century College, Hamline University, Inver Hills Community College, Metropolitan State University, Minneapolis College, Normandale Community College, Saint Paul College, and The University of Minnesota.
Dixie Shafer of URGO and Lara Crombie of the TRIO McNair Scholars program led the workshop on identifying and applying for Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs). They offered practical advice on finding, applying for, and selecting opportunities.
Check out their presentation here: Paid Research Experiences in STEM: Identifying Opportunities and Applying.
Post-workshop, Participants Split into Concurrent Panels.
Dr. Jennifer Brookins-King facilitated the student and alumni panel on research experiences and perspectives. The six panelists included current undergraduates at Augsburg and the 
University of Minnesota, industry professionals, and a Ph.D. candidate. They shared their research journeys, discussed challenges, offered advice, and fielded audience questions.
Dr. Rebekah Dupont moderated the faculty and staff panel, Supporting Equitable Access and Participation in Research Experiences. The panelists, each representing centers which offer undergraduate research experiences, shared advice about preparing quality applications and what faculty might do to support their students in the process of securing a research opportunity.
The event concluded with dinner, discussion, and networking. Thank you to the panelists, facilitators, and guests for making the 8th Annual REU workshop a fun, informative, afternoon!
Minneapolis College hosts STEM Transfer Pathway Workshop
On Saturday, October 7th, Minneapolis College hosted the first annual STEM Transfer Pathway Workshop. Forty five participants from 13 institutions, including 36 students from Minneapolis College, Century College, and Augsburg University, gathered to explore the transfer experience for STEM students.
The event offered a unique platform for participants to connect with peers from different institutions, fostering a sense of community among those dedicated to supporting STEM students in their educational journeys.
The workshop included valuable sessions including navigating Transferology, breakout sessions for scholars and faculty advisors, and a panel discussion with transfer advisors from Minnesota Universities.
Thank you to Dr. Renu Kumar, Principal Investigator and co-PIs Dean Dr. Ben Weng and Carmen Buhler for their pivotal roles in making the event a success.
Eight Scholars Attend S-STEM Scholar Conference
The first annual S-STEM Scholar Conference was held on September 14-16, 2023 in Washington. D.C. Eight PRISM scholars from our four partner institutions attended: Zak Faarah and Ly Xiong (Augsburg University), and Sarmuna Wei (Century College and Augsburg University); Rachael Dada and Maria Fakhreddine-Escobar (Century College); Eva Skipwith and Justin Third (Minneapolis College); and Devin Garrity (Normandale Community College). The scholars were accompanied by Professor Rebekah Dupont from Augsburg. Rachael, Justin, and Eva presented their research during the poster sessions.
The trip was fully supported by the National Science Foundation and organized by the S-STEM REC.
PRISM Project Partners with INTuitN S-STEM Hub
Augsburg University, Century College, and Minneapolis College have joined an innovative new Hub; INTuitN-STEM: Investigating Non-Tuition Needs among community college STEM students. The Hub was created by The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice at Temple University with support from National Science Foundation (NSF). The purpose of the Hub will be to (a) conduct collaborative research with S-STEM programs to understand and address basic needs insecurity and student access to non-tuition supports and resources and (b) create a broader community of institutions interested in building knowledge around supporting students’ basic needs.
https://hope.temple.edu/projects
8th Annual Applying for Paid Research Experiences in STEM Workshop to Take Place on November 9, 2023
This in-person event is designed to provide information on how to apply for summer research opportunities nationally as well as locally.
The event takes place in Hagfors Center 150 at Augsburg University on Thursday, November 9, from 3:30 – 6:30. The event will include a workshop led by Dixie Shafer of Augsburg’s Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity Office (URGO), the chance to hear from past researchers, a research program panel for faculty and staff, and an informal community dinner for students, faculty, and staff.
Additional information will be emailed to registrants prior to the event.
3:00 – 3:30 Check-In/Hagfors Atrium
3:30 – 4:30 Workshop for students, staff, and faculty
Paid Research Experiences in STEM: Identifying and Applying for Opportunities
4:30 – 5:30 Concurrent Panels
Student Panel: Student and alumni research experiences and perspectives
Faculty and Staff Panel: Supporting equitable access and participation in research experiences
5:30 – 6:30 Community Dinner for students, faculty, and staff
Leveraging Energy and Effort
Justin Third enrolled at Minneapolis College during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and quickly learned he had a passion and a knack for the world of information technology, disability advocacy, leadership and mentoring. A native of Alabama, he is the first in his family to pursue a college education and found possibility in what he had thought impossible.