Estrella Mountain Community College's (EMCC), focus on the student experience is evident in several ways on campus; however, the student experience isn't limited to just classroom lessons.
The academic divisions at Estrella Mountain encourage students to participate in summer internships, an opportunity for the students to use what they are learning in the classroom in a "real-world" environment. Eleven students from the math and science division participated this year, interning at organizations nationwide such as the NASA Glenn Research Center in Ohio, the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest Laboratory in Washington, the Arizona Department of Transportation in Yuma and Phoenix, and many others.
Jacqueline (Jacki) Morse, an EMCC transfer student to Arizona State University, has experienced first-hand the benefits of participating in science, technology, engineering and mathematics initiatives at EMCC. Morse received two scholarships during her tenure at Estrella Mountain; the EMCC Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics Scholarship (CSEM) funded through the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the NASA Motivating Undergraduates in Science and Technology (MUST) Scholarship, which is awarded to minority science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students nationwide. The MUST Scholarship granted Morse a one-year competitive scholarship of up to one-half of tuition and allowed her to participate in a summer research experience at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Ohio this summer, where she hopes to return for two additional summers. The scholarship and internship are both renewable for up to three years. She learned this summer that if she is able to get into a co-op program, a job offer with NASA is "almost certain."
The two scholarships Morse received covered all of her tuition costs at EMCC, and allowed her to work part-time while supporting herself and her son, Nicky. "Receiving the scholarships turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me," she said. "Without CSEMS and Dr. (Sandy) Zetlan (biology faculty at EMCC), I never would have received the MUST scholarship. I feel more confident about my success both academically and professionally because of the experiences I had as a result of these scholarships."
Incoming student, Perla Ruiz, interned with the Palo Verde Nuclear Plant as part of the ACE (Achieving a College Education) Summer Bridge Program. Ruiz comes from La Joya Community High School and plans to major in biology or chemistry. She has been participating in the Math and Science Scholar (MS) program, a Maricopa Community College District supported ACE program that offers students in grades 10-12 an opportunity to earn college credit while they are in high school. "Through the ACE program, I attended EMCC for four semesters, usually taking my courses after finishing my day at the high school," said Ruiz. During her internship with the Palo Verde Nuclear Plant, Ruiz said that she gained skills in teamwork and plans to continue participating in available internship programs. She is also in the process of applying for the Emerging Scholars Scholarship, also funded through NSF, which would provide up to $5,000 for STEM students to use toward tuition, books and other college expenses.
Estrella Mountain is committed to helping students achieve their dreams and helping them to identify possible career options. Immersing them in those opportunities helps them to find themselves and the right area of study in which they are interested. Estrella Mountain's Coordinator of Instructional Services at the NASA Center, Arlisa Richardson, emphasizes the importance of the internship experience. "The internships offer students an opportunity to experience the workplace environment, to gain a professional mentor, and in most cases, earn money that will help offset college expenses," she continued, "In addition, students gain valuable work experience that includes improved communication and leadership skills. The internship experience serves as a motivation for students to continue with their academic goals beyond the community college to the university and beyond."
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math students could be eligible for the Emerging Scholars scholarship available through Estrella Mountain and NSF. Last year, Estrella Mountain was awarded an NSF grant for STEM students which can fund 21 scholarships annually in the amount up to $5,000 each. This scholarship and other programs are in place to encourage students to pursue degrees in the STEM fields in order to address the critical shortage of a technically-trained workforce.