Scholar Newsletter

NSF PRISM Co-PI Carmen Buhler retired in August 2024 after serving over 30 phenomenal years in teaching math and providing mentorship at Minneapolis College. Carmen's dedicated, compassionate, accomplished service has left a lasting footprint in the lives and careers of countless students.

Your PRISM colleagues share heartfelt thanks on a standout career and wish you the best during your retirement-you've earned it!

Dr. Matthew Haines earned his Ph.D. in mathematics from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania after his training to teach high school mathematics at his undergraduate alma mater St. John’s University, MN. On his journey to Augsburg, he taught for eight years in Mobile, AL and Jersey City, NJ. He has worked at Augsburg University for 23 years and been a research mentor for 16 undergraduate projects on topics ranging from congressional redistricting, to the analysis of symmetry in music composition, to studying and designing a 3D model of the 4D hypercube.

He enjoys talking about mathematics with students over an espresso and some chocolate – both of which are available in his office for those looking to chat about mathematics. If you want to chat math, stop by Hagfors 181!

Wendy Naughton has been teaching at Minneapolis College for 20 years. She has a B.S. and M.S. in chemistry and a Ph.D. in chemistry education. She has lived in Nebraska, Colorado, Florida, and has moved to Minnesota three times in her life (finally settled here for a long stretch in 2004).

For many years, Wendy primarily taught Chemistry in Your Life and Organic Chemistry, which has been a fun combination of classes. Her favorite part of teaching is getting to know and work with so many different and inspiring people.

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.

S-STEM REC

The Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) Resource & Evaluation Center (REC) aims to increase the number of talented low-income students who obtain degrees in STEM and enter the STEM workforce.

S-STEM Scholars and Alumni sign up to receive information and resources to support your success in STEM careers!

The Strommen Center for Meaningful Work is excited to announce the internship & career fair happening this fall. The fall fair present excellent opportunities for students to explore career paths, network with potential employers, and gain valuable insight into the job market. Students are taking proactive steps toward knowing their options and fostering their personal and professional development.

PRISM Scholars from Century, Normandale, or Minneapolis College are invited. To register, please email Janet Morales at moralesj@augsburg.edu with the subject line of Augsburg Internship & Career Fair and she will follow-up with you.

Augsburg Internship & Career Fair (Register Now!)

• When: Tuesday, October 1, 3:00-5:00 pm - Hagfors Atrium at Augsburg University

• Cost: Free Transportation: A $25 transportation stipend will be provided for all Community College students

• Who should attend: Augsburg undergraduates & Summer 2024 grads as well as PRISM
  Scholars from Century, Normandale, and Minneapolis College

• About: There will be employers from various organizations recruiting for internships and full-time opportunities.

We are thrilled to invite you to attend the Inaugural Black Excellence in (Neuro)Science symposium! This two-day in-person event will be held on September 19th and 20th in the McNamara Alumni Center.

We have an incredible lineup of Black neuroscience faculty from institutions across the country who will give talks about their journeys in academia and current research endeavors. The symposium will also include ample networking opportunities for trainees, a hidden curriculum panel, and breakout sessions on grant writing, finding a good mentor, applying to graduate school, and science communication/community outreach.

Everyone is welcome to attend! Feel free to share this email with anyone who would be interested, especially trainees. Note that we are limited in capacity to only 100 attendees so please only register for the sessions you are certain you can join. The registration deadline is September 12 or when all spots are filled.

Attached below is a pdf document to download that provides an overview of the event.

If you have any questions, please email Betsy Passe eppasse@umn.edu.

The First Look@Argonne Conference is designed to be a daylong immersive experience for students who are part of an Underrepresented Group (URG) within the United States and U.S. Territories. Participants will learn about Argonne's multidisciplinary science portfolio and robust internship programs and engage with the scientific staff dedicated to this work and developing the next generation of researchers.

This year’s free conference will be held in person and will allow students to:

• Learn about the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) complex and Argonne’s mission science research.
• Explore Argonne’s campus and research facilities.
• Network with Argonne researchers and engineers across the many different STEM disciplines.
• Learn about summer and year-round research opportunities for undergraduate students.
• Connect with current and past interns.

EVENT DETAILS

• DATE: October 10, 2024
• TIME: 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• LOCATION: Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Ave., Lemont, IL, 60439

Target Audience: All students from freshman to fifth-year seniors are invited to register and attend! We especially look to support students who identify as a member of an underrepresented group in STEM.

Registration Requirements: Must be enrolled as a full-time student at a community college or 4-year college/university with a minimum GPA of 3.0, must be at least 18 years of age and also a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident.

Are you a first-generation college student, Pell-eligible, and/or from an underrepresented community seeking a pathway to transform systems? Are you interested in or exploring the possibility of attending graduate school? Explore all of the great workshops the Gopher Grad Initiative has to offer!

Sign-up for workshop reminders as they are announced. Browse our past sessions and resources.

• Sept 18 | Why Pursue Graduate School & Engage in Undergrad Research?

• Oct 2 | Demystifying the Graduate School Selection & Application Process

• Oct 30 | Finding Undergraduate Research Opportunities

• Nov 13 | Writing an Effective Personal Statement / Statement of Purpose

The American Mathematical Society (AMS) Online Fall Graduate School Fair is a great opportunity for undergraduates to learn about possibilities for graduate study and for master’s students to learn more about opportunities for PhD study. Representatives of graduate programs in the mathematical sciences are available to answer questions about their graduate programs.

The 2024 Fall Online Graduate School Fair will take place October 9, 12 pm to 6 pm ET (9 am to 3pm PT) on vFairs, a top-tier event management platform. Some benefits of vFairs include:

• Booth setup training for exhibitors and access to booths prior to the event.
• Easily upload program infographics and documents for attendees.
• Student attendees will be able to access the event for three months after the fair to continue to explore and connect with programs.

The fair will open with a kickoff panel to provide student attendees with advice on how to effectively navigate and network at the fair, as well as on strategies for applying to graduate programs in mathematics.

Advance registration is required for both students and program representatives. Registration is free for students.

Augsburg’s TRIO McNair Scholars Program is recruiting students for Fall 2024 admission. Eligible applicants will be at Junior status by the end of Spring 2025 and available to conduct full-time research Summer 2025. Students from all majors are welcome to apply, though preference is given to applicants that are interested in pursuing a doctoral (Ph.D.) degree. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all participant slots are filled.

The TRIO McNair Scholars Program works with students who are members of groups underrepresented in graduate education and who exhibit strong academic potential. The goal of the program is to prepare Scholars for graduate study through coursework, academic advising, workshops, and involvement in undergraduate research and other scholarly activities. The program also assists with securing admission to and financial assistance for enrollment in graduate programs. Students will acquire the research skills necessary to succeed in graduate school through a paid research internship ($6000) with an Augsburg faculty member during Summer of 2025.

The McNair Scholars Program is federally-funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Therefore, to be eligible, applicants must be first-generation (neither parent graduated from a four-year college or university) AND low-income AND/OR may be persons from groups underrepresented in graduate education. The Department of Education defines these groups as African-American, American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Hispanic/Latino. Additionally, applicants must be either U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents and maintain at least a 2.8 cumulative GPA (3.0+ preferred). Unsure if you qualify? Please visit the link below for more information on eligibility requirements.

If you’re interested in learning more about McNair, please contact Lara Crombie, Program Coordinator, crombie@augsburg.edu.

Determining McNair Eligibility “Cheat Sheet”

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. The Institute of International Education has administered the program since its inception in 2001.

The program encourages students to conduct STEM-related research abroad as part of their study abroad or international internship program. The program also encourages students to study languages (those deemed important to national security). Veterans of military service are encouraged to apply, and preference is given to veterans when other factors are equivalent.

To be eligible for the Gilman a student must be a U.S. Citizen or National and receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or during the term of the study abroad program or internship.

"Study abroad is a special experience for every student who participates. Living and learning in a vastly different environment of another nation not only exposes our students to alternate views, but also adds an enriching social and cultural experience. It also provides our students with the opportunity to return home with a deeper understanding of their place in the world, encouraging them to be a contributor, rather than a spectator in the international community."

Former U.S. Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman

Plan ahead to give yourself time to submit a solid application:

NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) paid internships allow high school and college-level students to contribute to the agency’s mission to advance science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration.

OSTEM internships offer students an opportunity to gain practical work experience while working side-by-side with mentors who are research scientists, engineers, and individuals from many other professions. Internships may be full time or part time; and, they may be on a NASA center or facility, or even working from your home or dorm.

Join our NASA team and gain valuable on-the-job experience, build your resume, and strengthen your career readiness. We offer three sessions annually, so visit our website often for opportunities.

2025 Internship Application Deadlines:
Summer 2025 – Early Decision: Oct. 25, 2024; Final, Feb. 28, 2025
Fall 2025: May 16, 2025

The Wallin UpTurnships Program Application for Fall 2024 – Summer 2025 is now open! Students can follow this link UpTurnships - Wallin Education Partners (wallinpartners.org) and click on the “Apply Now” button to get started. The application process has been updated and ask that students applying create an account. This allows students to complete the application in multiple sessions instead of having to complete it all at once. It also gives us the ability to show them their progress through the application process on an individualized portal.

Students can apply to multiple programs with a single application – Fall Projects, Spring Projects and Summer Internships. There are a number of exciting projects lined up for the Fall in areas like Data Analytics, Marketing, Finance, and Accounting).

As a reminder, this program serves high-potential, under-represented college students from low-income backgrounds.

Please reach out if you have any questions!

Heidi Hegenbarth

Tel: (952) 452-9604

Career Development Manager

https://calendly.com/heidi_h

SciTech connects college STEM majors to paid internships at small Minnesota companies -- it's a one-stop shop for finding STEM internships statewide! Gain hands-on experience, network with pros, build your resume, and "earn while you learn."

In order to be eligible for SciTech internships, students must meet the following criteria:

• Minnesota resident OR living in and attending college in Minnesota
• At least 18 years of age
• In good academic standing (2.5+ GPA)
• College junior or senior (at least 60 credits completed) OR
• Technical or community college student (at least 24 credits completed) OR
• Enrolled in a STEM degree at an accredited U.S. college
• Legally eligible to work in the U.S. (international students may participate if they have CPT/OPT work authorization)

Deadline to apply: Varies

For more information on how to apply and to view a list of current internship opportunities, visit https://scitechmn.org/.

• Diversity in Action: September/October Issue

  Keely Cat-Wells, entrepreneur and advocate for the disability community, graces our September/October cover, while we take a deep dive into the science of longevity. There's also a dino-mite new Fossil Lab, a doctor who is a also a hip-hop artist, a group mentoring teens through photography, plus much more: Diversity in Action Sept/Oct 2024 Issue

• NSF-supported research impacts nearly every field of science and engineering. NSF's influence reaches from the ends of the Earth to the depths of the oceans and to space and beyond. Our Multimedia Gallery has some of the most stunning images from NSF’s research legacy. We have pulled some of the most beautiful gallery images for you to use as a virtual background.

Do you have suggestions for opportunities to include in the upcoming newsletter? Feel free to forward them to stem@augsburg.edu.

Email: stem@augsburg.edu
Website: https://www.augsburg.edu/stem/
Location: 2211 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Phone: (612) 330-1042