In early October, three IMMERSE in STEM scholars and the program Co-PI Rick Hough hopped on a plane at SFO and traveled to San Diego to attend the 2025 S-STEM Scholars Meeting hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Beautiful weather, comfortable accommodations, convenient public transportation, sea breezes, and Old Towne San Diego all greeted the Skyline team.
Scholars were treated to keynote speakers during mealtimes, as well as engaging sessions on how to maximize their S-STEM experience, connect with one another, leverage internship opportunities, and other relevant topics. Between sessions, students were invited to poster sessions highlighting the various research projects in which they are participating. All three scholars presented posters on their internship projects during separate sessions. Ariana Cerna presented a poster entitled “Characterization and Operation of SLAC Xenon Purity Monitor.” Andrea Anderson presented on “Exploration of Antibiotic Properties in Algal Symbionts from the Northern California Coast,” while Aryanna Mendoza presented her nEXO project, “From Simulation to Signal: Engineering a Fast Preamplifier for Photon Detection.”
The scholars left the conference feeling inspired and energized, with one of them sharing, “My biggest takeaway is to explore any opportunity that comes your way. Whether it’s related to your major or not, just talk to people. I’m a pretty shy person, but I’ve learned that I can hold a conversation, and even a quick 5-minute chat can go a long way. Some of the people I met during this trip are still in touch with me now. It showed me how much can come from just putting yourself out there a little.”
The experience also provided valuable insight and lessons: “Something I learned during this trip is how important it is to speak up and take the first step in starting a conversation. At the poster session, I noticed people would be curious about my poster from a distance but wouldn’t come up right away. Once I started approaching them and initiating the conversation myself, I had many more opportunities to share my work and connect with people. It really helped me see the value of being confident and taking initiative, and it opened my eyes to new possibilities in my major.”
With another student adding, “I learned that being in a new environment helps you see things from a different perspective. Once you’re away from your usual routine, you notice how much there is to learn just by observing and being open to new experiences.”
They also highly recommended that other students get opportunities to attend similar conferences. “I personally recommend this trip or any trip like this to other students. You never really know what opportunities might come up or who you’ll meet. The people you meet and the conversations you have are what make the whole experience. It’s more than just the event itself. It’s everything that comes with it.”
IMMERSE in STEM stands for Innovative and Meaningful Mentoring to Enhance Retention, Success, and Engagement in STEM. The program is funded by the NSF S-STEM program and was established at Skyline College in Spring 2023. By the end of December 2025, about $600,000 will have been disbursed in scholarships to 45 students. The program helps address the national need for well-educated scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and technicians by supporting the retention and graduation of high-achieving, low-income students with demonstrated financial need at Skyline College. Over a five-year period, this project provides 90 scholarships to a minimum of 30 students pursuing an associate degree or preparing to transfer to a four-year university to complete a degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics. Each student receives support for up to three years. Participating students benefit from a robust suite of evidence-based co-curricular services and a transformative mentoring approach designed to enhance their persistence, degree completion, and successful transfer.
To be eligible, students must be US citizens, have non-zero unmet financial needs and have an intended major or area of study in Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics. For more information about the program and eligibility requirements, please visit https://www.skylinecollege.edu/immerse/. You can also contact Professors Emilie Hein (heine@smccd.edu) or Rick Hough (hough@smccd.edu) if you have any questions.
Article written by: Emilie Hein, Rick Hough, Ariana Cerna, Aryanna Mendoza, and Andrea Anderson
