Student Success Update
TC Energy Summer Scholars Academy Fall Networking and Social Activity
The TC Energy Summer Scholars Academy (SSA) hosted their annual fall event for all previous SSA students. Approximately 55 students attended the two-hour event at the UH Game Room to bowl, play pool and table tennis, have lunch, and have fun with other scholars and TC Energy mentors. Eighteen TC Energy employees have volunteered for the SSA Mentorship Program where they will serve as mentors to recent SSA participants.
Scholar Enrichment Program Updates
Scholar Enrichment Program Recognized by Insight into Diversity Magazine
NSM’s Scholar Enrichment Program (SEP) was recognized with an Inspiring Programs in STEM Award in the September 2022 issue of Insight into Diversity Magazine. SEP is celebrating its 30th year in operation. The program also submitted an application for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s STAR Award program and is awaiting the announcement of the outcome.
Workshop Enrollments and Rescue Workshops for Calculus I and Fundamentals of Chemistry I
Enrollment in the SEP workshops associated with key courses across the STEM disciplines has rebounded to near pre-pandemic levels (~1100). Forty workshops are in session this fall with a total of 1,083 enrolled students.
In addition, two Calculus I and one Fundamentals of Chemistry I late-start rescue workshops are being offered with the goal of supporting students who are identified as at-risk for course completion after their first course exam.
This is the first time a rescue workshop has been offered for the Fundamentals of Chemistry I course. The workshop was proposed by Chemistry professors P. Shiv Halasyamani, Thomas Teets, and Russell Larsen as part of their work for the Gardner Institute’s Pedagogy, Advising, and Curricular Excellence (PACE) Gateway to Completion Project. The Chemistry team completed a self-analysis of the Fundamentals of Chemistry I course which allowed them to determine best practices for design and delivery approaches of curriculum to improve student success.
Recruitment for the Calculus I and Chemistry I Rescue Workshops is under way with professors encouraging their students to enroll and SEP administrators inviting students via an email campaign. Rescue workshops began Monday, October 17.
SEP hopes this additional support paves the way to good study habits, stronger learning communities, and better outcomes in these critical courses for STEM success.
NSM Outreach/Campus Visit - St. Thomas High School
NSM, in collaboration with Bauer College of Business, hosted 20 St. Thomas High School students on August 22 and 23. The students received a campus tour and attended a recruitment presentation that outlined both colleges’ admission requirements and opportunities each college has to offer, such as study abroad and field research.
teachHOUSTON Hosts First Annual Open House
The teachHOUSTON program held its first annual open house. It was spearheaded by a faculty member with the help of officers from the teachHOUSTON Student Society (Faculty Advisor - Mariam Manuel). The event featured a “passport through teachHOUSTON” theme which allowed guests the opportunity to travel through the teachHOUSTON suite to meet with each faculty member and learn about courses offered, scholarship opportunities, summer internships, and STEM teacher certification – all while getting their “passports” stamped. The event, which welcomed NSM faculty, staff, and students, featured prizes, games, and networking over light refreshments.