The S-STEM Scholars are recipients of the Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics scholarship, which provides each student with a $40,000 scholarship over five years. The scholarship, funded by the National Science Foundation, benefits financially-needy, academically-talented students who are pursuing undergraduate degrees in either physics or chemistry.
For most of the scholars, the scholarship means that they do not have to take part-time jobs to support themselves while in school. Instead, they can focus on getting good grades, doing research and learning about their chosen fields in a deeper and personally more meaningful way.
The Director of the program is physics professor Dr. Roberto Ramos, and the Co-Director is chemistry department head Lynn Penn. The two professors work closely with the S-STEM scholars, offering academic support through close mentoring, career and professional counseling and paid tutoring services by senior undergraduates or graduate students, when the need arises.
"During their first quarter at Drexel, Prof. Penn and I met the scholars on almost a weekly basis at the Chemistry Study Lounge," Ramos said. "We discussed their needs, frustrations, listened to their concerns and engaged them in 20-30 minutes of discussion concerning topics such as study habits, note-taking, personal initiative, professional behavior towards faculty and other students, and cheating."
The scholars also receive mutual support. A key feature of the program is a tight cohort system where scholars learn together, creating personal and professional bonds with each other, which will help the students succeed at the studies, finish their degree and find employment.
"We hope that all these support structures will make it easier for them to excel and to succeed in their chosen fields," Ramos said.
Although some of the S-STEM Scholars have participated in research while they were high school seniors, many of them will begin engaging in research through the STAR Freshman program this summer. More than half of them are eligible, have applied and are awaiting approval of their STAR applications.
To be considered for S-STEM scholarships, seniors must take the SAT (or ACT) and formally apply to Drexel in addition to meeting the need-based criterion. Through a series of informational meetings and workshops, interested students were coached through the process of applying to Drexel and for financial aid.
Recipients of the S-STEM scholarships are well-mentored throughout their college years. Tutoring, academic counseling, and other resources are provided to ensure the good performance of the S-STEM scholars and to spur them to graduation in a timely fashion.
For more information about the S-STEM Scholars, visit their website here.
Meet the Scholars
Interviews compiled by Ali Cahill
Scholar: AnnMarie Shabazian
Major: Chemistry
Benefits: "Being a STEM scholar has helped me to be able to concentrate on my studies instead of having to get a job and split my time between work and studying. Also, being a part of STEM allowed me the opportunity to work with Dr. Penn. Thanks to my participation in STEM, I am now going to be working with Dr. Penn on her research topic over the summer with the STAR program. All that I just mentioned will provide me with a background in my chemistry major as well as being beneficial in my future career path in medicine. Having the opportunity to work on research as a freshman will be impressive when I apply to medical school."
Scholar: Pareshkumar Brahmbhatt
Major: Physics
Benefits: "Being involved in the S-STEM program gives me the opportunity to have a mentor assist me in my pursuits or goals. I have the privilege of knowing a faculty member on a personal level, opposed to being an acquaintance for a school term. I am able to talk with the faculty member whenever it is I am having an issue. Dr. Ramos, being a physicist, is more capable of giving me advice on how to reach my goal of becoming a physicist than some advisor who is trained to give generic suggestions."
Scholar: Wendy Harris
Major: Physics
Benefits: "The S-STEM scholarship has been invaluable in providing the supportive structure to help ensure my success by providing mentoring, structure, close follow up, opportunity to develop relationships with fellow students and Professor Ramos and Professor Penn, who serve as professional cheerleaders for the S-STEM scholars….[My] future career plans at this point hopefully will focus on research or teaching in the areas of possibly astronomy, physics as applied to medicine, or perhaps biophysics. Through participating in research, coursework and co-ops, I hope to further refine what aspect of physics is the best match for me. I have also been a part of the mentorship program sponsored by SPS. I've enjoyed working with the middle school Philadelphia students, bringing physics into their classrooms, and getting them interested in science. I also think it is especially important to inspire women to pursue careers in science since there are so few."
Scholar: Chelsea Arnold
Major: Chemistry
Benefits: "S-Stem program has been the most beneficial program that I have used during my time at Drexel. There have been meetings with all of the recipients discussing everything from financial aid to study skills. Anytime I have needed any type of extra help in a class, my S-STEM mentors have studied with me. They have also given me advice on what classes to take in my new term."
Major: Physics
Benefits: "Being involved with S-STEM has been very beneficial for me. Last term, Dr. Ramos and Dr. Penn organized weekly meetings to see how we were all doing. If any of us were struggling in a particular subject, they could contact a graduate student to help us. For the physics majors, we had access to a graduate student in physics who could help us with math or physics when needed. The grad student in physics happens to also be the TA of our physics class, so we could talk to him any time we wanted. I've felt comfortable and safe knowing that people are looking out for me….My future career plans with physics at this point would be to eventually go to graduate school. I am not exactly sure which particular area of physics I would want to specialize in yet, but I have a particular interest in particle and computational physics. I have not done any real research yet outside of classes, but I am planning on participating in the STAR (Students Tackling Advanced Research) program this summer. The STAR program will be my first real taste of what scientific research is like. I am hoping to work with a professor in either particle or computational physics."
Scholar: Marc Doyle
Major: Astrophysics
Benefits: "The S-STEM scholars are in the process of finding a professor to work with. I was looking to do research in Quantum mechanics. The S-STEM has provided outstanding services with regards to academic help. The program offers tutoring and extra help if we need it and it has turned out to be very beneficial. [My future plans include] looking to possibly work with NASA or any other government entity. I am planning to do research this summer and I believe that will help me immensely with gaining experience that can help me get a better job."
