Student Success Update
Scholar Enrichment Program Updates
TC Energy Resume Workshop
The Scholar Enrichment Program partnered with TC Energy to host a resume-writing workshop. Melanie Collins, university recruiting and emerging talent leader for TC Energy, provided insight on what details recruiters look for when reviewing hundreds of resumes. In a 50-minute presentation, topics like resume format, resume components, and education vs. experience were discussed, allowing students to maximize the quality of their resume and show their value to potential employers. On October 14, students that attended the workshop can have their resume reviewed by Melanie and other TC Energy representatives. A second professional development event will be scheduled in Spring 2022.
Fall 2021 Workshops
The Scholar Enrichment Program is serving more than 900 students in 39 supplemental instruction workshops this fall. Two additional Calculus I workshops will start in October to support students who scored between a 60–70% on their first exam. These workshops, open to NSM and non-NSM students, will offer a brief content review to strengthen the students’ base knowledge and provide additional help with course topics to keep the students on track to successfully complete the course.
NSM Student Leadership Program
The NSM Student Leadership Program continues to engage students in academic, networking, community service, and social activities for building community and a sense of belonging in NSM. In September, the group hosted a virtual scavenger hunt, organized Take Over Thursdays on Instagram with College Survival Tips from faculty, began a donation drive, and held several study nights for NSM courses. The group also volunteered at the Houston Food Bank. For the Chemistry I Study Night, 77 students attended. Upcoming events for the NSM Student Leadership Team include NSM Talks, Listens, and Shares events, Office Hours with Student Leaders, and Battle of the Student Orgs Trivia Night. NSM Ambassadors will also represent UH at nine Houston-area college fairs in October.
teachHOUSTON Updates
Department of Education Grant Supports Alternative Certification Pathways Program
The Department of Mathematics-teachHOUSTON and Department of Computer Science were awarded an extension grant from the Department of Education of $2.2M over the next two years for their Alternative Certification Pathways Program. The additional funds will expand pathways and provide scholarships for STEM undergraduates and graduates seeking secondary STEM teacher certification, increase the number of computer science teachers, and replicate teachHOUSTON’s certification pathways throughout UTeach replication sites across the country. The grant team consists of Paige Evans (PI), Leah McAlister-Shields (Co-PI), Jaspal Subhlok (Co-PI), and key personnel - Jacqueline Ekeoba, Laura Harlow, and Ramona Mateer.
teachHOUSTON Student Engagement
The teachHOUSTON Student Society (tHSS) has resumed in-person activities. The group offers socials, community service opportunities, and professional development led by tH students on topics such as Navigating the teachHOUSTON Program, Teaching with Poverty in Mind, Time Management, Adulting 101, and Growth Mindset. Dr. Mariam Manuel, faculty advisor/sponsor, is working with the organization’s officers on event planning that follows the current guidelines for hosting on-campus, in-person activities. This is critical since most of the officers are just getting the opportunity to experience the operations of the society in person. Recent activities included a bake sale, which featured multi-cultural foods to highlight the program’s diversity. In Fall 2020, tHSS started a mentorship program, MP2. It provides peer support and guidance to students who are new to teachHOUSTON. It has received significant positive feedback and interest from new tH students. tHSS is currently organizing student tutoring groups for NSM majors.