Fellowships & Programs
Dr. Thomas W. Cole, Jr. Research & Leadership Fellowship Reception
Dr. Thomas W. Cole, Jr., the founding president of Clark Atlanta University, earned his B.S. degree from Wiley College, Summa Cum Laude and his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Chicago. He studied with Dr. P. E. Eaton and they were the first chemists to synthesize Cubane in 1964. The synthesis of Cubane, a highly strained cubic carbon-based molecule, was thought at one time to be impossible, much like the consolidation of Clark College and Atlanta University. However, Dr. Thomas W. Cole, Jr. achieved impossible feats throughout his administrative, academic, and scientific career.
It is with this spirit in mind that the Southern STEM Center launches the Dr. Thomas W. Cole, Jr. Innovative Leadership, Education and Science Research Fellowship Award, which will be awarded to a deserving student attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). The recipient must seek to engage in STEM research and demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities. The award will include a summer research experience with STEM Industry and/or education partners or national research laboratories and access to an appointed STEM mentor to provide academic, social and career guidance.
STEM Enrichment Experience (SEE)
STEM Enrichment Experience (SEE) increases K-12 student interest and academic performance in STEM academic and career pathways year-round (SEE & Bridge Highlights).
STEM Scholar
Learning Community
STEM Scholar Learning Community provides undergraduate STEM majors the necessary academic support and career exploration needed to persist and complete a STEM degree (SEE & Bridge Highlights).
STEM Pathways into Medicine
STEM Pathways into Medicine introduces students to career pathways in the medical field through mentorship, academic support, and hands-on learning activities. The pipeline program prepares students for successful admission into the UAB School of Medicine (SEE & Bridge Highlights).
In addition, the Beta Kappa Boule’ STEM Medical Scholarship fund, in collaboration with the Southern STEM Center, raised $30,000.00 to support an Alabama student admitted to the University of Alabama School of Medicine.
STEM College Bridge
STEM College Bridge Program provides high school seniors and recent high school graduates with the necessary academic support and advisement to launch their college journeys in STEM (SEE & Bridge Highlights).
Hello Tana
HELLO TANA is a cultural exchange program designed to be a dual-serving endeavor centered upon the commonalities of these communities and is the base for a replicable model that expands across the Southeastern United States, and beyond. While separated by land and sea, Alabama sits in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and Arusha, just 52 miles from famed Mt. Kilimanjaro. However, the people of both regions face social, emotional, cultural, and economic trepidations resulting from systemic and institutional oppression, and yield paucities in jobs, education, health care, water, agriculture, and housing. HELLO TANA seeks to further empower these resilient communities through education, art, and community building.
STEAM Saturdays
STEAM Saturdays supports local community’s need to provide educational outreach to residents. The event attracts students of all ages (elementary, middle, high school, and young adults), parents, and stakeholders; engaging in STEAM hands-on and inquiry-based learning activities in a culturally-responsive way. Service providers include industry STEM professionals, community volunteers, local businesses, and Center staff. The STEAM Saturday activities supports state educational efforts to enhance STEM/STEAM curriculum, maintaining alignment with state mathematics and computer science standards. The overarching goal of Southern Center for Broadening Participation in STEM is to increase STEM/STEAM literacy so all students have the opportunity to learn more deeply and think critically in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (STEM).