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2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT Table of Contents

3 Letter from the STEM Council Co-Chairs 4 Introduction to the STEM Council 5 Meet the Co-Chairs 6 Campus STEM Coordinators 7 STEM Council Members 8 STEM Partnerships 9 STEM Service Learning and Outreach 13 STEM Event Highlights 14 Undergraduate Research and Internships 16 Recognitions 19 STEM Grants 19 STEM Scholarships 20 Students Enrollment and Retention 21 STEM Awards 22 Student Success Intervention

2 Letter from the STEM Council Co-Chairs

Dear San Jacinto College faculty, staff and administrators: has sponsored and supported: 30 outside speaker events for San Jacinto College students; 30 STEM outreach and The San Jacinto College STEM Council sincerely thanks you service-learning events reaching more than 6,000 pre- for your continued support. Because of you, not only are we college age students; the College’s annual Space Day event; able to bring increased awareness of STEM educational and four STEM summer camps reaching more than 150 K-12 career opportunities to our students, but we continue to students; 20 robotics events; 20 field trips; and a number provide innovative learning and research opportunities that of summer internships for San Jacinto College students at set them up for success in pursuing their educational and various prestigious institutions including Rice University, professional goals. University of Iowa, U.S. Department of Energy at the Fermi National Acceleratory Laboratory in CERN, NASA, and Two of the biggest highlights this year include Dr. Teddy Baylor College of Medicine’s Summer Program. In addition Farias joining the STEM Council as co-chair alongside Dr. to partnering with more than 70 independent school Ann Cartwright and the STEM Council receiving a second districts and individual schools, we have also supported national recognition from the American Chemical Society. eight STEM enrichment events for STEM faculty members. Dr. Farias assumed the co-chair position in August 2019, STEM scholarships from LSAMP, T-STEM, San Jacinto continuing the steadfast leadership that Dr. Alexander College departments of chemistry, biology, and the STEM Okwonna set in motion during his term as co-chair. Last Council totaled more than $192,000 for 2018-2019. year, the STEM Council was honored as the country’s top organization for STEM outreach activities, and in October As we move into a new year, perhaps our most challenging 2019, for a second consecutive year, the American Chemical to date, San Jacinto College and the STEM Council will Society Greater Houston Section named San Jacinto College continue to provide and facilitate innovative educational number one in the nation for STEM outreach to pre-college access to STEM education and opportunities. age students.

Another great highlight includes the Council’s creation of an ANN CARTWRIGHT, PH.D TEDDY FARIAS, D.C. extensive collaboration between the San Jacinto College’s Professor of Chemistry Dean of Health and Natural Sciences process technology and chemistry departments in the Co-Chair of STEM Council Co-Chair of STEM Council new LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology. In addition, throughout 2018-2019, the Council ALEXANDER OKWONNA, PHARM.D. North Campus Provost Co-Chair of STEM Council

3 Introduction

The STEM Council at San Jacinto College strives to increase awareness of education and career opportunities related to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The Council sponsors STEM activities throughout the College and the region, as Houston ranks among the top 10 cities for STEM careers. The Council works with community members to promote the STEM fields, while forging strong partnerships with universities and industries for further education and workforce training.

About STEM education at San Jacinto College

Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) THE PURPOSE OF THE STEM COUNCIL IS: education is a critical part of San Jacinto College’s academic focus. Houston’s energy, medical, and aerospace industries • To provide strong leadership to the College and the rely upon STEM graduates, and the need for STEM graduates community in advancing the role of STEM. To capitalize continues to increase. Studies in STEM areas offer students on STEM efforts already underway at San Jacinto College. opportunities to achieve careers in industries that pay well. • To serve as a recommending body to the College’s Additionally, the Texas community college funding model Strategic Leadership Team. awards Student Success Points for student success in STEM • To identify opportunities for P-16 and workforce fields. partnerships related to STEM, including expanding opportunities for internships. The STEM Council, a recommending body to the San • To identify alignment concerns and gaps in offerings. Jacinto College Strategic Leadership Team, is charged with • To recommend actions to increase student success in advancing STEM student success throughout the College and STEM programs. its community.

4 Meet the Co-Chairs

DR. ANN CARTWRIGHT (co-chair 2013-2020) has taught chemistry at San Jacinto College since 1979. During that time, she has served as chair of the department of physical science and is currently serving as co-chair of the College’s STEM Council and degree task force. During her career, Dr. Cartwright has received numerous teaching awards including the NISOD Excellence Award, Chemical Manufacturing Association Catalyst Award, American Chemical Society Greater Houston Section Two-Year College Teaching Award, Minnie Stevens Piper Award and is a Distinguished Professor Level III at San Jacinto College. She is also named in Who’s Who Among American Teachers and Who’s Who Among American Women. Her main interests are the recruitment and retention of STEM students through STEM service- learning and the STEM Outreach Program at San Jacinto College. Dr. Cartwright holds a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from the University of Kansas.

DR. ALEXANDER OKWONNA (co-chair 2016-2019) has served in faculty and administrative roles at San Jacinto College for more than 14 years. He currently serves as the provost at North Campus. His vision for STEM at San Jacinto College focuses on the 3 Rs: Recruit, Retain, and Reward. Active in a number of professional, health, and community organizations, Dr. Okwonna serves on the Pearland Chamber of Commerce Community Council, the Memorial Hermann Southeast Advisory Committee, and the Bay Area Alliance for Youth & Families Drug Take-Back Committee. Dr. Okwonna is currently serving a two-year term as a board member for the Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education (TABPHE) and is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Recently, Dr. Okwonna was named vice president to the Texas Association of College Technical Educators (TACTE) for a three-year term. He has received several awards including the U.S. Army Certificate of Achievement for Outstanding Performance as Class Leader, San Jacinto College’s Distinguished Faculty Award, and The League for Innovation in the Community College’s John & Suanne Roueche Excellence Award. Dr. Okwonna holds a Pharm.D. from Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and is a licensed pharmacist.

DR. TEDDY FARIAS (co-chair 2019-present) is the dean of health and natural sciences at the San Jacinto College North Campus. He is a chiropractor by trade and educator at heart. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Missouri, a Doctorate of Chiropractic from Logan University, and a Master of Higher Education in Administration and Leadership from Purdue University Global (formerly Kaplan University). He also maintains an active chiropractic license in the state of Texas and is a certified acupuncturist and medical assistant. Prior to his role at San Jacinto College, Dr. Farias held positions at St. Louis Community College, San Juan College, and Wichita State University and owned a private chiropractic practice in St. Louis, Missouri. In his spare time, he enjoys basketball, chess, home beer brewing, and volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

5 STEM Council Campus STEM Coordinators

CHERYL MOTT has been teaching at San Jacinto College in the college preparatory mathematics department since 2009. Previously, she taught upper-level mathematics in the Pasadena Independent School District for six years. Mott is very involved with U.S. FIRST Robotics and has served as the Southeast Texas FTC Volunteer Coordinator since 2010. You will often find Mott helping students, working with the San Jacinto College Central Campus’ Artificial Intelligence (AI) lab activities or coordinating and participating in many STEM outreach programs. Many San Jacinto College T-STEM scholarship recipients turn to Mott for mentorship as she too is an alumna of the College. Mott holds an associate degree from San Jacinto College, a B.S. in mathematics from the University of Houston and an M.Ed. from the University of Texas at Arlington.

NATHANIAL WIGGINS is a Distinguished Professor of mathematics and engineering at San Jacinto College. He holds a B.A. from the University of Colorado, an M.S. from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, and is working toward a Ph.D. at Texas Tech University. Wiggins is a co-principal investigator for the National Science Foundation grant “Bridges to STEM Careers” collaborative with University of Houston-Clear Lake and maintains research in engineering education. He is a lead scientist for AI-Tech Labs at San Jacinto College and a faculty mentor through Distinguished Faculty and Men of Honor.

DR. SHEEMA NASIR is an anatomy and physiology professor at San Jacinto College. She completed her undergraduate studies at St. Joseph’s College in New York and received her M.D. from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. She worked as an OBGYN at her private practice for eight years before working for the Sindh Government Health Department for six years. Dr. Nasir received her lab technique certification from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) and was involved in breast cancer research studies from 2002 to 2008. Since then she has taught as an adjunct professor at various Texas institutes from 2009 to 2016 when she began teaching full-time at the San Jacinto College South Campus.

6 STEM Council Members

NAME TITLE AND DEPARTMENT LOCATION Dr. Rhonda Bell Dean of Natural & Health Science North

Tim Bell Department Chair of Mathematics & Physical Education North

Pamela Betts Faculty of Computer Science & Computer Information Technology South

Regan Boudra Department Chair of Mathematics South

Dr. Ann Cartwright Faculty of Chemistry and STEM Council Co-Chair Central

J. F. Dzuryak Faculty of Geology North

Dr. Teddy Farias Dean of Health and Natural Sciences and STEM Council Co-Chair North

Janis Fowler Director of Aerospace Academy CPD

Rachel Garcia Department Chair of Chemistry, Geology, and Physics Central

Susana Gonzalez Manager, Safety/Health/Environment/RM SHERM District

Scott Hairston Director of Grants Development District

Marco Lozano Senior Research Analyst District

Ryan Martinets Department Chair of Mathematics Central

Courtney Morris Communications Coordinator District

Cheryl Mott Faculty of Mathematics Central

Lambrini Nicopoulos Department Chair of Life Sciences South

Dr. Alexander Okwonna North Campus Provost and STEM Council Co-Chair North

Yuli Pernia Faculty of Biology North

Sharon Sledge Faculty of Mathematics Central

Susan Starr Department Chair of Physical and Life Sciences North

Earle Thomas Manager of Financial Aid Services South

Andrea Vasquez Senior Communications Coordinator District

Nathanial Wiggins Faculty of Engineering North

Dr. Christopher Wild Department Chair of Physical Science & Engineering South

7 STEM SERVICE-LEARNING EDUCATION PARTNERS Aldine ISD Galena Park ISD Pearland ISD Alief ISD Goose Creek ISD Port Lavaca ISD Bay City ISD Hamshire-Fannett ISD Sheldon ISD Beaumont ISD Harmony Public Schools Shepherd ISD Brazosport ISD Houston ISD Somerville ISD Brenham ISD Humble ISD Spring Branch ISD STEM Calhoun County ISD Iman Academy Spring ISD Channelview ISD KIPP Houston Public Schools Stafford Municipal School District Clear Creek ISD Klein ISD Tidehaven ISD Partnerships Communities in Schools, La Porte ISD Tomball ISD Afterschool Centers on Education (ACE) San Jacinto College has Conroe ISD Lamar Consolidated ISD Van Vleck ISD STEM partnerships with Deer Park ISD Livingston ISD Willis ISD numerous schools, professional Fort Bend ISD Palacios ISD organizations, and industries to Friendswood ISD Pasadena ISD help provide opportunities for PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS SCHOLARSHIPS/FUNDING/EVENTS PARTNERS students. Here are just a few of American Chemical Society—Greater Houston Section our STEM partners. Houston Chemical Association Houston Geological Society

INDUSTRY EVENTS/SPEAKERS/TOURS/FUNDING PARTNERS Arkema, Inc. Houston Zoo Boeing KHOU-TV – Dr. Neil Frank Cascade MVS Lockheed Martin ChemTreat LyondellBasell City of Houston NASA Communities in Schools, Afterschool Centers on Education (ACE) NASA Langley Research Center Dow Chemical Company, Texas Operations Port of Houston Texas Parks and Wildlife, San Jacinto College Galveston Bay Foundation into Battleground State Historic Site General Electric Texas Parks and Wildlife, Sea Center Texas Houston Museum of Natural Science U.S. Department of Energy

UNIVERSITY PARTNERS Baylor College of Medicine Texas A&M College of Geosciences Cancer Center School of Health Professions Rice University University of Houston College of Engineering Texas A&M Galveston University of Houston-Clear Lake Texas Tech University Whitacre College of Science and Engineering University of Houston University of Houston-Clear Lake College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics College of Industrial Hygiene and Safety Lamar University College of Engineering University of Iowa 8 Michigan Technological University The University of Texas MD Anderson STEM Outreach and Service Learning

STEM outreach and service learning go hand-in-hand. Many of the hands-on STEM experiments in the outreach program are taught to the pre-college-aged students by San Jacinto College students as a part of STEM service learning. In addition to providing students opportunities to reinforce and apply theories and concepts outside of the classroom, service learning also allows students to explore career opportunities in teaching; develop leadership skills; and improve self-esteem.

Take a look on the following pages of the largest annual STEM outreach and service learning events that are supported by the San Jacinto College STEM Council.

PASADENA ISD STEAM FAIRS San Jacinto College has hosted the Regional Secondary Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) Fair for Pasadena ISD since the 1990s. Since the inception of the STEM Council, the fair location is now annually rotated between the Central and South Campuses. In addition to supplying the fair location, the visiting Pasadena ISD students have lunch on campus and go on a campus tour. San Jacinto College provides judges and holds a small STEAM Expo for the families and students after the projects are judged prior to the awards ceremony. The fairs have grown from approximately 70 applicants to more than 200. At least 20-30 San Jacinto College faculty members and 60-80 college students are involved each year.

9 SPACE DAY Space Day is an annual free event sponsored by the San Jacinto College Aerospace Academy that connects students interested in the STEM fields to representatives from NASA and workforce industry leaders. Students receive information about internships and scholarships, and networking opportunities are made available. Event displays include lunar samples, robotics/artificial intelligence, virtual reality, rocketry, Orion-Mars, and planetary science. Guests are also able to enjoy a Star Party on the observation deck of the College’s South Campus science and allied health building, getting a chance to view the night sky using the College’s 16-inch reflector telescope. The featured special guest for the 2018 Space Day was David Leestma, former NASA Astronaut.

10 STEM EXPOS In a partnership with Communities in Schools Afterschool Centers on Education (ACE), San Jacinto College has hosted a 15 STEM Expos at the Central, North, and South Campuses within the last four years. Approximately 500 elementary school students from Pasadena (Central Campus), Galena Park (North Campus), Pearland, and Houston ISDs (South Campus) and their parents attend the Expos featuring more than 30 STEM activity stations facilitated by 30 faculty members and 100 college student volunteers per event. These high-impact STEM Expos are made possible by a collaborative grant from the American Chemical Society – Greater Houston Section.

11 MIND TREKKERS: ADVENTURES IN STEM FESTIVAL

This annual two-day event provides opportunities for thousands of sixth grade students from area schools to engage in and observe more than 100 STEM demonstrations facilitated by San Jacinto College faculty, staff, students, and industry partners. Hands- on, interactive STEM activities provide opportunities to expand students’ curiosity and interests in pursuing STEM education and careers that are vital to our economic sustainability. The free event also includes a family night where family and friends can enjoy the same activities and experiments. The 2018 Mind Trekkers: Adventures in STEM Festival saw nearly 5,000 students and more than 400 community members. Industry partners include Chevron Philips, LyondellBasell, INEOS, Dow, PetrochemWorks, the City of La Porte EMS, and the San Jacinto College Foundation.

12 STEM Event Highlights 2018 2019 January January • Lunar Eclipse Party- students and community members came out to the • Engineering Day at Clear Lake High School - more than 1,000 students attended San Jacinto College North Campus to view the lunar eclipse using science department telescopes February • Pasadena Regional STEAM Fair- hosted at Central Campus with approximately 180 pre- March college age students plus parents, 50 San Jacinto College student volunteers, and 25 • “Be the Match” National Marrow Donor program event- 117 students College faculty and staff volunteers attended; 21 students joined the national registry and 2 students were a • Morris Middle School Career Night- more than 300 middle school students and parents match attended • Houston Hispanic Forum Career & Education Day at George R. Brown Convention Center- September more than 3,000 pre-college age attendees • STEM Scholarship Information Session event saw 121 students attend to March learn more information scholarship opportunities through the San Jacinto • Mind Trekkers: Adventures in STEM Festival- nearly 6,000 sixth graders from local middle College Foundation and the College’s STEM departments schools attended the annual STEM extravaganza with approximately 100 hands-on experiments, demonstrations, and crafts October • Second annual Undergraduate Research Symposium- 20 students participated in the • Dr. Jennifer Fogarty, NASA Human Research Program Chief Scientist, poster session; keynote speaker was Rodney Roth, Vice President of Barric Valves + visited San Jacinto College to share her life story of overcoming obstacles and what it means to be a woman in STEM June/July • STEM faculty and students hosted 2019 STEM summer camps: Aerospace Camp, Upward November Bound, Robot Ruckus, Energy Venture, STEM Survivor Camp, and Maritime Venture Camp • Geology students visited Llano for a field study and observations • Armand Bayou Nature Center-students studied aquatic and forest ecosystems • San Jacinto College anatomy and physiology professor, Aleshia Seaton, presented “Genes and Mutation” with a movie screening of X-MEN: The October Last Stand- 156 students attended • Sheldon Lake State Park biology service-learning project- students completed amphibian and bird surveys, invasive plant removal, and wetlands restoration studies

November • Heron Park and Armand Bayou Nature Center- students conducted habitat restoration studies • Communities in Schools campus STEM Expos- approximately 500 pre-college age guests on each campus for a total of 1500, along with 40 experiment stations at each event and 375 San Jacinto College student, faculty, and staff volunteers • Texas Space Grant Consortium Design Challenge Showcase- 3 San Jacinto College engineering students invited to propose, design, and fabricate a solution toward solving NASA research objectives of importance • Students visited the Houston Museum of Natural Science for the Lego “The Art of the Brick” and Stonehenge exhibitions, along with a behind the scenes fossils tour • San Jacinto College students and faculty visied the NASA Johnson Space Center’s Sonny Carter Training Facility/Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) and were able to witness an astronaut training session 13 Undergraduate Research /Internships RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR UNDERGRADUATES The San Jacinto College STEM Council has been instrumental in (REU) AT RICE UNIVERSITY collaborating with partnering institutions and developing external and • Since 2012, San Jacinto College has provided letters of support internal undergraduate research opportunities. These opportunities and collaboration for the NSF-funded REUs in Bionetworks and provide students with hands-on, advanced-level research experience Nanotechnology most community college STEM students don’t have exposure to. • To date, 12 SJC students participated in the Bionetworks REU Students in the undergraduate research program work side-by-side (TBD) along San Jacinto College STEM faculty, university faculty from across the nation, and internationally renowned scientists and medical SAN JACINTO COLLEGE FACULTY-DRIVEN professionals assisting with everything from groundbreaking cancer RESEARCH AND PROJECT MENTORSHIP research to developing software for the world’s largest particle accelerator. Not only do these internships open doors to academic and Nathanial Wiggins, Engineering professor career advancement, but they also provide students with life-changing Professor Nathanial Wiggins leads a number of students as they multicultural experiences around the U.S. and across the globe. Here engineer technology solutions for: are just a few examples of undergraduate research opportunities • TCC Wearable Tech Competition (collaborative with Iowa State supported in 2018-2019 by the STEM Council: University and VINSS designers) • SIMIODE SCUDEM Competition (national competition hosted by THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HOLDEN 1 MIT, locally hosted by St. Thomas University) COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER • NASA Space Robotics Challenge Phase II (collaborative with • Three universities, and one community college (San Jacinto University of Houston-Clear Lake) College) are exclusive participants in UI’s National Cancer Institute • NSF BSC Subaward of 100k from UHCL for student research Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) grant awarded summer 2019 • Eight summer research fellowships are awarded each year based on academic merit and an essay. Dr. Connie Gomez, Engineering professor • The fellowship culminates in oral and poster presentations to UI • Students under Dr. Connie Gomez’s mentorship developed cancer center faculty, presentations at professional and academic research projects that include the engineering of a fog harvester, conferences throughout the academic year, and competing at the automated hydroponic system, and the design and 3-D printing San Jacinto College Undergraduate Research Symposium poster of biological specimens. These students also presented at local competition. national conferences. • Three San Jacinto College students were accepted for the 2018 • 10 students were paired with industry mentors for a semester- fellowship program and three for 2019, making nine San Jacinto long experience as a part of the new SJC – Pipe Valve and Fittings College students accepted to date. Young Professionals Organization Mentoring Program 14 Dr. Phuong Doan, Chemistry professor • Dr. Phuong Doan’s students’ undergraduate research project centered around the development of artificial skin. They also presented and regional and national conferences.

Dr. Jose Nuñez, Chemistry professor 1 • Dr. Jose Nuñez mentored his students in the analysis of pharmaceutically-relevant compounds and their crystal structures. His students presented their research at regional and national conferences.

2 Dr. Laria Redjimi, physics professor • Dr. Redjimi’s mentorship afforded six students the opportunity to conduct research at the European particle accelerator at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. These students later presented their research and discussed their experiences at regional and national conferences. 2 Dr. Madhu Gyawali, Physics professor • Dr. Madhu Gyawali’s students studied and assisted in research regarding the analysis of air-born particulate matter as pollutants and presented at regional and national conferences.

Jane Sabey, Chemistry professor • Jane Sabey mentored students in the analysis of water impurity using the Undergraduate Research Center’s new Total Organic Carbon/Nitrogen Analyzer and the Energy-dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer.

15 San Jac Earns ChemLuminary Kudos

For a second consecutive year, the San Jacinto College Although ACS-GHS received the national recognition, the STEM Council was recognized by the American Chemical chapter honored San Jacinto College for its expansive STEM Society - Greater Houston Section (ACS-GHS) as its 2018 outreach that puts Houston on the radar. ACS Outstanding Kids & Chemistry Award, part of the national ChemLuminary Awards for excellence in promoting ACS-GHS ranked the College third in outreach nationwide chemistry. Additionally, Dr. Christopher Wild, San Jacinto in 2016 and first in 2017 and 2018, thanks to the College’s College South Campus department chair of physical sciences, initiatives. Competitors for ChemLuminary Awards include was recognized with the annual ACS-GHS Two-Year College two- and four-year colleges, industries, and community Teaching Award. organizations.

Through the STEM Council’s leadership, the College ACS-GHS and San Jacinto College have a long partnership. introduces more than 7,000 pre-college students to STEM For two decades, the local chapter has helped fund the education and career opportunities each year. Events include College’s STEM outreach programs, said Dr. Ann Cartwright, STEM expos for elementary students, Mind Trekkers for STEM Council co-chair. middle schoolers, the Aerospace Academy Space Day, and science fairs combined with campus tours. “At the STEM expo on Central Campus in October, the Greater Houston section had a booth to conduct experiments with Along with STEM outreach comes outstanding instruction our guests,” Dr. Cartwright said. “They saw San Jacinto from STEM faculty. Dr. Wild’s commitment to promoting STEM College in action and were very impressed with our student internship, research, and career opportunities to students was volunteers. We have a great partnership, with many of our just a part of what ACS-GHS recognized when awarding him chemistry faculty serving as members of the local chapter the prestigious Two-Year College Teaching Award. and several having served as officers.” 16 The San Jacinto College STEM Council was awarded the 2019 San Jacinto College Star Award for its contributions to innovative STEM outreach initiatives and internship and research opportunities for San Jacinto College students. As part of the San Jacinto College Monument Awards, up to 10 teams per year are recognized for sustained, exceptional performance above and beyond performance expectations for the completion of deliverables STAR AWARD identified in the annual priorities or strategic goals.

17 Dr. Connie Gomez: Engaging The Next Generation of Engineers

Going above and beyond is second nature to engineering level research experience at a community college,” she professor Dr. Connie Gomez. Whether it’s staying late said. “We know that a lot of our students are commuter to offer tutoring, making time to mentor students, students, so the traditional research and internship work collaborating with other faculty to secure national grant experiences don’t work for them. They have to work to funding for continued student research projects, or afford tuition, in addition to their other life necessities, so driving a College bus full of students to NASA Johnson a lot of our STEM faculty want to provide our students Space Center, it’s no surprise why Gomez was named San with opportunities to gain actual STEM research Jacinto College’s 2019-2020 Mini Stevens Piper nominee. experience they can list on their resumes. Most of our faculty have research projects that our students assist Since 1958, The Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation has with, while others offer literature research which is crucial recognized outstanding professors from two- and four- to the entire process. These students also present their year colleges and universities, both public and private. research which allows them to hone in on their public As a non-profit, charitable corporation, one of its biggest speaking and presentation skills which will help them programs is the Piper Professor Program. Ten awards of excel as professionals in their chosen STEM career fields.” $5,000 are distributed annually to college professors for superior teaching. Nominations are based on submissions Gomez also values mentorship and collaboration, giving by each college or university in the state of Texas. back whenever and however she can. To date, she has mentored more than 50 students and 14 adjunct “This is such an incredible honor,” said Gomez. “All of our professors with no desire to stop any time soon. She faculty do outstanding work and support our students as frequently visits local high schools to give presentations much as we can. I’m honored to be nominated and am on what the College’s engineering program has to offer lucky to work with such amazing peers whom I learn from and what kinds of career opportunities are available in as well.” the engineering field. She is also involved in ongoing research collaborations with six other institutions for Providing students with unique research opportunities the joint partnership Wheels of Change grant awarded is something Gomez is constantly curating. One of the from the U.S. Department of Agriculture which provides College’s annual STEM (science, technology, engineering, research opportunities for agricultural engineering and math) program highlights is the Undergraduate sustainability. Research Symposium. The event allows STEM students to present their research to faculty, staff, students, and “At the end of the day, it’s so rewarding when I hear local educational and industry experts. Proving these former students tell me how prepared they felt for opportunities is just one way Gomez strives to prepare their university engineering programs and the kinds her engineering students, tailoring the project, teams, of research, internship, and job opportunities they’re and research methods to the students’ needs. getting. That tells me we’re doing something right. We’re preparing the next generation of innovators while we “Our Undergraduate Research Center provides students continue to be leaders in STEM education.” with a space to conduct their research and collaborate 18 on other research projects so that they get university- STEM Grants STEM AWARDS AMOUNT Program Grants NASA – Minority University Research and Education Program- San Jacinto College continues to facilitate a $322,131 Pathway to the Stars number of federal and state-funded grants from organizations including the National NASA – MICRO – Center for Exploration and Sustainability $343,725 NSF – Louis Stokes B2B Alliance: Harris County Community College Science Foundation, the Texas Higher Education $1,477,907 Alliance Coordinating Board, the Texas Governor’s Office, NSF – Smart Center $15,000 and Intergraph. These grants provide students with HAS – Edge Center grant $425,000 scholarships, undergraduate research opportunities, Event or Summer Camp Grants STEM events, industry guest speaker events, field FIRST – Tech Challenge - Robotics $3,000 trips, outreach opportunities, and professional development and enrichment for STEM faculty. TWC – Camp Code for Girls $18,356 TOTAL: $2,605,119 STEM Scholarships

Student success is at the core of every FALL 2018 SEMESTER NUMBER SOURCE ROUNDED AVERAGE AWARD AMOUNT facet of San Jacinto College. We know that T-STEM 33 Grant Funded $1,250 $41,250 the cost of higher education is rising, so LSAMP 10 Grant Funded $700 $7,000 with the help of the San Jacinto College STEM Council 3 Grant Funded $500 $1,500 Foundation and our numerous educational, SPRING 2019 SEMESTER NUMBER SOURCE ROUNDED AVERAGE AWARD AMOUNT community, and industry partners, we are able to provide scholarships for students T-STEM 25 Grant Funded $1,250* $31,250 that help break down financial barriers. LSAMP 10 Grant Funded $700 $7,000 Thanks to you, STEM students at San SUMMER 2019 SEMESTER NUMBER SOURCE ROUNDED AVERAGE AWARD AMOUNT Jacinto College are able to continue on T-STEM 37 Grant Funded $1,250* $80,000 their educational and career pathways LSAMP 6 Grant Funded $700** $24,566 to their ultimate goal of completing their 2018-2019 TOTAL STEM SCHOLARSHIPS $192,566 higher education credential. *T-STEM: 10 students completed the year’s award at $1,250, and 27 first-time recipients were paid $2,500 due to summer program completion

**LSAMP: 6 students were paid $4,094.40 per 10-week internship

19 STEM Enrollment DISTRICT-WIDE STEM TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENT ENROLLMENT 25,553 25000 24,376 In an effort toward continual improvement, San 23,948 22,600 23,306 22,633 22,295 Jacinto College determines appropriate thresholds 21,309 21,026 for enrollment by aligning with the targets outlined in 20000 the Texas Higher Education Strategic Plan: 2015–2030 (60x30TX), whose goal is that by 2030, at least 60 15000 percent of Texans ages 25-34 will have a certificate or degree. Therefore, increasing enrollment is an 10000 institutional goal, and the STEM Council’s outreach efforts continue to help increase enrollment across the district. 5000

0 Fall ‘15 Fall ‘16 Fall ‘17 Fall ‘18 Fall ‘19 Spring ‘16 Spring ‘17 Spring ‘18 Spring ‘19 STEM Retention

The STEM Council continues to identify and expand % Completers by Course STUDENT SUCCESS TOTALS BY SEMESTER student success strategies designed to improve % Passing by Course % A to C retention and success in STEM programs. On a national Percent of Students % A to C Completers level, there remains a disparity in the ratio of students 100 who enroll in STEM programs and the number of students who graduate. According to the National 80 Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 69 percent of associate 60 degree students who entered STEM 60 fields between 2003 and 2009 had left these fields by the spring semester of 2009. About half of these 40 students switched their major to a non-STEM field, and the rest left STEM fields by exiting college before 20 graduating or earning a certificate. By developing and enhancing these student success programs 0 Fall ‘15 Fall ‘16 Fall ‘17 Fall ‘18 Fall ‘19 Spring ‘16 Spring ‘17 Spring ‘18 Spring ‘19 and strategies, the STEM Council and STEM faculty continue to see retention and success rates increase. STUDENT SUCCESS AND RETENTION DATA SUCCESS STUDENT

20 STEM Awards DISTRICT-WIDE STEM DEGREE TOTALS BY SCHOOL YEAR 800 Number of AA and AS STEM Degrees 707 The Associate of Science is designed for students who plan 700 672 to transfer to a four-year or upper-level college or university 600 and major in mathematics, one of the sciences (biology, 512 461 chemistry, geology, physics or related field), engineering, 500 computer science or a baccalaureate degree in a health 400 science field. The Associate of Science differs from an 300 Associate of Arts in the amount or level of mathematics and science required for degree completion. 200 100 A minimum of 12 hours of mathematics, 12 hours in science, 0 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 12 hours in engineering or 12 hours in computer sciences beyond the core requirement are required for the degree. DISTRICT-WIDE STEM GRADUATES BY CIP CODE Students seeking an Associate of Science take science courses designed for majors rather than courses for non- 500 majors. San Jacinto College offers the following associate of Number of Credentials science degrees: 400

• LIFE SCIENCES - Associate of Science (2LIFESCI) 300 • PHYSICAL SCIENCES - Associate of Science (2PHYSCI) • MATHEMATICS - Associate of Science (2MATH) 200 • COMPUTER SCIENCE - Associate of Science (2COSCI) • ENGINEERING - Associate of Science (2ENGINEER) In 100 2013, the Texas Legislature approved the use of Success Points for determining part of the state funding for the College. The Student Success Points Model Point assigns 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 additional points to students who complete a degree or Biology, Biological Sciences, Life Sciences, Biotechnology certificate in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math 26010100+30010100+26120100 (STEM) or allied health major. Computer Programming Programmer, General 11020100 Engineering, General + Mechanical 14010100

STUDENT SUCCESS AND RETENTION DATA SUCCESS STUDENT Mathematics, General 27010100 Physical Sciences 40010100 40050100 + 40060100 + 40080100

21 Student Success Interventions Supplemental Instruction (SI) Peer support and learning communities continue to be one of the most successful approaches for student success in San Jacinto College STEM programs. The College has implemented supplemental instruction (SI) programs in numerous STEM subjects that provide peer support by having students who succeeded in traditionally difficult academic courses (e.g., Chemistry, Biology, Physics...etc) help other students complete these courses. SI is a non-remedial approach that provides regular review sessions outside of class in which students work collaboratively by discussing readings, comparing notes, working together to predict test items, and sharing ideas for improving class material.

Courses selected for SI tend to be “gatekeeper” courses for first and second year students—generally those classes that have a 30 percent or higher proportion of students who receive a “D,” fail, or withdraw (the DFW rate) from the course. Out-of-class review sessions are led by “SI leaders,” students who previously took the class and did exceptionally well.

Currently, Supplemental Instruction is only offered at the South Campus, and the STEM Council is recommending that the SI program be implemented College-wide. According to the data from the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, the percent retention and success of those who visited at least one SI session are statistically significantly higher than those who did not attend an SI session at a 95 percent confidence level.

22 Visit (Y/N) Fall 2018 Fall 2019 RETENTION (GRADE A-F) BY TERM* Enrolled Retention Enrolled Retention N % N % SOUTH CAMPUS ONLY Visited SI 304 283 93.1 230 220 95.7 *Source: Lp_Endcrse & Tutor Trac data Did NOT Visit SI 1,645 1,404 85.3 1,334 1,138 85.3

The percent success of those who visited at least one SI session are statistically significantly higher Visit (Y/N) Spring 2018 Spring 2019 than those who did not attend an SI session at a 95 percent confidence level. Enrolled Retention Enrolled Retention N % N % Visited SI 367 328 89.4 285 256 89.8 Did NOT Visit SI 1,713 1,383 80.7 1,647 1,343 81.5

Visit (Y/N) Fall 2018 Fall 2019 SUCCESS Enrolled Retention Enrolled Retention (GRADE A-C) BY TERM* N % N % SOUTH CAMPUS ONLY Visited SI 304 244 80.3 230 193 83.9 *Source: Lp_Endcrse & Tutor Trac data Did NOT Visit SI 1,645 1,129 68.6 1,334 878 65.8

The percent success of those who visited at least one SI session are statistically significantly higher Visit (Y/N) Spring 2018 Spring 2019 than those who did not attend an SI session at a 95 percent confidence level. Enrolled Retention Enrolled Retention N % N % Visited SI 397 278 75.7 285 221 77.5 Did NOT Visit SI 1,713 1,011 59 1,647 1,012 61.4

23 23 sanjac.edu | 281-998-6150

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