April 2010, Volume 14, Number 2

Academics

STEM student achievements are honor to the college

Eva Sevilla

Careers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields are the fastest-growing professions in the nation. In recognition of this, MDC offers a variety of programs that provide STEM students with advising, tutoring and support, including technical equipment and faculty mentoring, as well as transfer assistance and scholarships, among others.

"Tools for Success," funded by the National Science Foundation, brings together faculty, administrators and scientists from the community to nurture under-represented students who may otherwise not be able to succeed in STEM fields. The program is innovative because it is not merely a scholarship program but a program that aims to truly prepare students for success. To be considered for this program, students must meet certain requirements, including an interest in a STEM major, a high grade point average and remain in good academic standing throughout their participation in the program.

 Yoel Cordero Alvarez, Eva Sevilla and Vanessa Vieites are rising stars in the College’s STEM program. Alvarez, a chemistry major at Wolfson Campus, came to Miami from Cuba five years ago without knowing any English. Today he has two scholarships from

Yoel Cordero Alvarez

MDC to his credit. He also was selected to participate in a STEM Fellows program offered by Saint Thomas University.

"My time at MDC has been the best experience because I have achieved the foundation of my career goal and will be able to continue my education to the highest level," Alvarez said.

Eva Sevilla, a civil engineering major at Wolfson Campus, served an internship during the summer of 2009 at the Civil Engineering Department of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) in California. Eva’s research received strong accolades and she was invited back to LBNL for this summer while still receiving offers for two other summer fellowships.

"While at Berkeley, I was not only doing research to increase my intellectual knowledge but I also was making a contribution to the world of sustainable development," Eva said. "The MDC Honors College encouraged me to pursue my passion and take my skills and apply them in a way that would both challenge and increase my knowledge."

 

Vanessa Vieites

Vanessa Vieites, a biology major at Kendall Campus, was awarded a research fellowship at Boston University for this summer along with acceptance into the Summer Medical and Dental Education Programs at Yale, Duke University and the University of Virginia.

"I chose BU’s program since it involves performing research in neuroscience and psychology," Vanessa said. These past two years at MDC have driven me to get involved in extracurricular activities and seek educational opportunities so that I can transfer to the best institution possible on my way to earning a bachelor’s degree and beyond."

— BB


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