Stem at San Jac
With Houston ranking among the top 10 cities nationwide for STEM careers, San Jac takes STEM seriously. We’re making efforts to provide you with the resources to excel in science, technology, engineering, and math fields. Ready to geek out with us? Discover how San Jac can STEM-ulate your success!
San Jac STEM Stats
1 of 2
Community colleges in the U.S. to receive the NASA MUREP Aerospace Academy grant,
which recruits and retains underserved students into STEM fields.
Top Ten
Computer Science and Engineer Design Graphics are two of the top ten degrees and
certificates earned at San Jac.
$10.9 Million
Grants received in 2022 for STEM undergraduate research opportunities, professional
development for faculty, field trips, industry guest speaker events, and outreach
opportunities for students.
AIM for STEM
San Jac and Rice University are working together on a project called AIM for STEM.
Funded by The National Science Foundation (Award #2122214), this project’s goal is
to help students succeed in math, science, and other STEM subjects. A core component
of AIM (Acceleration In Mathematics) for STEM is the creation of a Summer Institute
in Mathematics facilitated by Rice University’s Tapia Center for Excellence and Equity.
We aim to improve the experience of STEM students in developmental courses and increase
the number of students earning AS degrees at San Jac. The strategy will impact 44
faculty and 900 AIM students, with 36 AIM pilot courses being developed. AIM for STEM
aims to reduce the underrepresentation of racial and cultural minorities in STEM degree
programs and careers, a well-recognized issue of critical national importance. By
improving grades in developmental math, the plan also lowers credit costs and reduces
the number of general studies credits students have to pay for.
We aim to improve the experience of STEM students in developmental courses and increase
the number of students earning AS degrees at San Jac. The strategy will impact 44
faculty and 900 AIM students, with 36 AIM pilot courses being developed. AIM for STEM
aims to reduce the underrepresentation of racial and cultural minorities in STEM degree
programs and careers, a well-recognized issue of critical national importance. By
improving grades in developmental math, the plan also lowers credit costs and reduces
the number of general studies credits students have to pay for.
| Name | Title & Institution | |
| Dr. Laurel Williamson |
SJC Deputy Chancellor & President, |
|
| Dr. Rachel Garcia | AIM for STEM Grant PI, San Jacinto College |
Rachel.Garcia@sjcd.edu |
| Dr. Richard Tapia | AIM for STEM Grant, CoPI, Rice University |
|
| Dr. Paul Hand | Tapia Center for Excellence and Equity in Education, Director, Rice University |
|
| Dr. Leticia Velazquez | Tapia Center for Excellence and Equity in Education, Rice University |
|
| Karen Kassekert | Tapia Center for Excellence and Equity in Education, Rice University |
|
| Maria Mosley | Grant Part-Time Assistant, San Jacinto College |
Maria.Mosley@sjcd.edu |
| Quan Vu | Grant Part-Time Assistant, San Jacinto College |
Quan.Vu@sjcd.edu |
Participants (First Cohort)
| Name | Campus |
| Professor Aurora Alvarez | SJC South Campus |
| Professor Eliud Castillo | SJC North Campus |
| Professor Kate Dinwiddie | SJC North Campus |
| Professor Kristen Foxley | SJC South Campus |
| Professor Kei Hayashi | SJC South Campus |
| Professor Douha Kelibi | SJC South Campus |
| Professor Sandra McCurdy | SJC South Campus |
| Professor Abigail Payne | SJC South Campus |
| Professor Eduardo Rossi | SJC South Campus |
| Dr. Shannon Solis | SJC Generation Park |
Aerospace at San Jac
Our Aerospace Education and Workforce offers educational experiences in STEM for
students in K-20 education. Our goal is to increase the number of skilled workers
in STEM fields for future jobs. Depending on the opportunity, you can be recruited
from the local area, state, or even nationally. Check out these opportunities available
through San Jac.
Experiential After School Learning
Join us after school to learn all about rocketry, drones, robotics, computer programming,
mechanics, and more. This program is open to all 4-5th & 10-11th graders.
Scholarships
Access STEM-specific scholarships for community college students to fund your education.
Internships & Industry Mentors
Find an aerospace internship and get partnered with an industry mentor to guide
you through your experience and help you find a job in the aerospace industry.
NASA-JSC NCAS Aerospace Scholars Program
Discover, explore, and innovate through our partnership with NASA. This program
is specific to community college students and designed with you in mind.
Our Vision
Our vision is to enrich the community by having a workforce in Aerospace and STEM
that is diverse and robust.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide innovative Aerospace/STEM education, workforce training,
resources, and opportunities through collaborative partnerships.
Soaring to Success: Our Four Goals
-
Assist in meeting the STEM education needs of our community.
-
Strive to increase awareness of Aerospace and STEM careers.
-
Develop STEM programs for K-20 student success.
-
Aim to bridge the gap between education and industry through relevant Aerospace workforce programs.
Advancing Aerospace
Schools and Colleges in San Jac School District
Independent School Districts within the San Jacinto College District include Deer
Park, LaPorte, Pasadena, Galena Park, Channelview, and Sheldon. Early Colleges in
partnership with San Jacinto College include Pasadena Early College, Sheldon Early
College, and Clear Horizons Early College.
Collaborative STEM Programs and Workshops
Aerospace Education and Workforce sees formal and informal educators as critical partners
in filling the STEM pipeline. That’s why we’ve developed programs for teachers and
parents to help students build STEM interest. Our trainings provide cutting-edge methods
and technologies for teaching STEM subjects and providing valuable field experiences.
Our workshops utilize technology, including online learning and podcasts, to assist
educators across a wider geographical area.
Aerospace Collaborations
Aerospace Education and Workforce also collaborate with the Houston Airport System,
Aerospace industry partners, NASA, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, Greater
Houston Partnership, and community partners in supporting and developing new workforce
programs.
Aerospace in the Texas Gulf Coast
Since its creation, Aerospace Education and Workforce has developed close ties with
the aerospace industry community in the Texas Gulf Coast region, serving more than
5,500 employees from approximately 60 companies. Aerospace Education and Workforce,
housed at the Houston Space Port at Ellington, is uniquely positioned to gauge the
ever-changing needs of the aerospace industry and respond accordingly with customized
programs.
Further Your Future
Boosting STEM Education
San Jac and Rice University team up to increase the number of STEM graduates by
developing the AIM for STEM grant. This grant provides resources and professional
development opportunities for San Jac’s math and college prep faculty.
We have a robust and holistic approach to STEM. We’re excited about what this
opportunity means for our students and San Jac’s STEM programs.”
Dr. Alexander Okwonna, North Campus provost
