Student Success Update
Summer Scholars Academy Graduation Celebration
On April 19, the TC Energy Summer Scholars Academy (SSA), formerly the NSM Summer Bridge Program, celebrated the graduation of participants from its first cohort since the program was restructured in 2019. Twelve NSM SSA students graduated in Spring 2023. In addition to being recognized and receiving gifts for their achievements at the celebration, students were able to impart words of wisdom to younger summer scholars cohorts.
SSA in an intensive nine-week program for incoming students interested in majors in NSM or Cullen College of Engineering. Summer scholars can earn credit for Calculus 1 (MATH 2413), receive a preview of Fundamentals of Chemistry, and are provided College Success (CORE 1100) content. The program has continued to grow and will host its largest cohort of 65 students in Summer 2023.
Student Leadership Program Banquet
The Office of First Year Programs hosted a banquet on April 26 in the Student Center South Skyline Room to celebrate graduates from NSM’s Student Leadership Program. Twenty-three student leaders graduated in Spring 2023. This is the largest graduating group for the program since its inception in 2017. At the banquet, the program also welcomed 28 new Student Leaders for the 2023-24 academic year.
The program wrapped up the semester with a finals study night event on May 4 and the signature NSMeet event, which focuses on recruitment of top students to NSM for Fall 2023. Thanks to all our faculty and staff who attended the event.
NSM Students Engage with Donors and Alumni
NSM students attended the Dean’s da Vinci Society Induction and Dinner on April 27. The event recognizes distinguished donors with cumulative gifts of $100,000 and more to NSM. Physics major Courtnée Staine shared her journey and expressed great gratitude for the scholarship support she has received. Other students in attendance included Leonardo Rodriguez, Mobin Marashi, Giselle Ruiz, and Aida Pourmousa.
In addition, our students attended the NSM Alumni Association’s annual Dinner for 10 on April 21, where they had the opportunity to connect with esteemed NSM alumni. The students celebrated their accomplishments, networked with alumni, and gained career insights. Students attending were Joshua Garcia, Sally Hoang, Bailey Hodakievic, Gary Mercado, Gabrielle Kostecki, Nicholas Nguyen, Son Nguyen, Nkechinyere Nwosu, Courtnée Staine, and Olivia Tran. The event was an excellent opportunity for them to expand their professional network and engage with professionals in their field.
NSM Career Center Hosts Internship Bootcamp
Over 100 students attended the NSM Internship Bootcamp on Saturday, April 15, at the Student Center Ballroom. The event featured Ted Talk-style presentations followed by an interactive session. Event speakers from NASA Johnson Space Center, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Newton Alpha Industries, and UH Office of Human Resources gave presentations on topics including internship opportunities, perfecting your resume, practicing your elevator pitch, salary negotiations, interviewing skills, maximizing LinkedIn, dressing for success, and representing UH during an internship. A panel of STEM and academic professionals also shared their academic and professional journeys with the attendees. During the event, students also received a professional headshot. NSM’s Internship Bootcamp will continue to be held as one of the Center’s annual events.
teachHOUSTON Alumni Panel: Mental Health and Teachers’ Motivation to Stay in the Field
On April 27, the teachHOUSTON Student Society hosted their Spring Semester Alumni Panel. The event featured six teachHOUSTON graduates currently teaching STEM in Houston-area high schools and one student teacher aspiring to begin teaching in fall 2023. Mariam Manuel, teachHOUSTON clinical assistant professor and faculty sponsor for the student organization, facilitates the panel each semester.
The panel focused on strategies teachHOUSTON alumni use to practice self-care, including their mental health. Suggestions included strategies for navigating grading and tutorial workload and the need to find a supportive community of teacher friends (“teacher besties”) to help you through challenges and to share celebrations.
The moderated discussion also focused on the need to destigmatize seeking help through counseling and taking sick days to tend to mental health and well-being.
The panelists also reflected on what drives them to keep teaching. For all of them, it came down to the students and the impact they are having in their classrooms. The alumni panel takes place each semester and is followed by the student society end-of-semester banquet.
“I am always excited for the opportunity to listen to other educators and share my experience in the profession. There are so many ways to teach, and there is always so much to learn (even as a teacher).” – Mariana Rendón Orozco (’20), Biology Teacher, Houston Independent School District, 2021 Beginning Teacher of Year Recipient.