Taking Advantage of Research Opportunities

Seven Onondaga Community College students in a variety of STEM-related degree programs took advantage of a new research opportunity over the semester break. They spent a week at Syracuse University working with Biology professors there as part of the new "BREW at SU" initiative. BREW stands for Biology Research Experience in Winter. It's the creation of OCC's Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) and Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program (LSAMP).

OCC students were paired up with SU Biology Professors, providing them with an immersive science laboratory research experience. "One of the main program goals for both CSTEP and LSAMP is exposing students to authentic scientific research," said CSTEP Director Colleen Stevens. "Undergraduate research experience is proven to help with persistence in STEM and local research projects are often the best option for many of our students."

Melissa Hicks, who is the Director of LSAMP at OCC, is optimistic BREW @ SU will lead to more research opportunities for students. "We're hoping our students who do well with this can move into some summer internships. A lot of our students don't apply for the full-time summer immersion programs because they can't commit to the time or be away from their families. We wanted to find something that was more equitable for our students."

One of the students who participated in BREW @ SU was Amina Amin. "It was amazing. Before it started we were given readings to do. I said, 'oh my god. you've put yourself someplace you don't belong.' Once I got there I felt so welcome and confident. And now I'm looking forward to applying to another school and doing research."

Amin is a native of Kenya who was living in a refugee camp when she immigrated to the United States in 2015 along with her parents and six siblings. She began school here in the 8th grade and worked hard to learn the English language. Five years later she graduated in the top ten of her class at Henninger High School.

She considered attending a four-year college but thought OCC would provide her the support and the environment she needed. She found a home in the CSTEP office.  "It's like a family type of connection. Whenever I need help with anything, that is where I go. I feel like I belong there. They give me experiences to help me become a leader and mentor me."

Amin is a member of the college's chapter of international honor society Phi Theta Kappa. In May she will earn her Mathematics & Science degree. She plans to continue her education and become a pediatrician. "Where I'm from we don't have pediatricians. You would see kids and adults lining up to see the same doctor. I want to be able to work with kids one day."

Amin and Stevens are our guests on this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College." You can download it at places like iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you find podcasts by searching "Chatting About College."