Old Mill High student awarded STEM scholarship

Two Maryland high school girls were awarded scholarships through the KCW Girls STEM program’s virtual (mentoring) events conducted in partnership with Prince George’s and Anne Arundel County Public Schools. The February events provided 75 high school girls with career and college planning resources that are limited in today’s virtual environment, as well as with connections with women working in STEM fields today.

Scholarship recipients are:

• Rebecca Holcomb, senior at Old Mill High School, Glen Burnie, MD, Anne Arundel County. At her high school, she serves as a Math Department Aide in order to learn from math and computer science educators, most of whom are female. Rebecca also participates in the Math Honor Society (Mu Alpha Theta) and in mathematical competitions, discovery, and discussions through the club. She’s treasurer of her school’s National Honor Society chapter, advancing her mathematical skills by managing and recording chapter finances. Rebecca wants to study math, and is considering nine universities including Penn State and Virginia Tech.
• Norah Francis, senior in the Science and Technology Program at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Greenbelt, MD, Prince George’s County. At her high school, she cofounded the We Are STEM program to encourage girls to learn and get involved in STEM activities. Norah also participates in the National Society of Black Engineers. Norah aims to study electrical engineering and is considering the University of Maryland, College Park, and University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).

Both girls receive a $1500 scholarship toward tuition and books, a paid internship with KCW Engineering, and a deliberate, thoughtful mentorship-match customized to their interests. Criteria for applicants included a cumulative GPA of 2.5; plans to enroll full-time at an accredited two-year or four-year community college or university in a STEM-related field. Submissions include a completed application and video essay.

North County High School graduate and 2020 KCW STEM program participant Britney Castle is now a sophomore at UMBC University in CWIT program – Center for Women in Technology and a part-time designer at KCW Engineering.

This year’s program included two virtual events with moderated panel discussions and open Q&A session with women working in STEM today, as well as ‘roundtable’ discussions with the panelists. Each participating student can opt-in to a mentoring program, getting matched with a mentor for quarterly sessions focused on career and college planning.

Why is this important now?

There is an ongoing need for business leaders, libraries, community centers, and other organizations to partner with schools and expand the resources available to students. Getting involved is easier than you think.

The virtual format expands the opportunity and accessibility of developing one-on-one mentoring relationships with students. Any organization can offer a mentoring experience with just a Zoom or Google Meet.

Educators have been using their innovation and creativity to navigate the challenges of distance and hybrid learning for more than two years now. They are working to build and improve the STEM ecosystem by including businesses, libraries, higher education, and government agencies to help students get engaged in STEM opportunities, and exposed to different STEM careers and content.

Business leaders can step in and bridge the gap created by the remote world, supporting both students and educators in the shared goal to grow tomorrow’s workforce. Programs founded on relationships connect students with their possible futures. These programs put students in our work environments and support their long-term mentorship connections.

Leaders involved in the KCW Girls STEM programs:

Anne Arundel County

• Chauncie Dallas, Electric T&D Project Manager, Dominion Energy
• Lori Villegas, Senior Vice President - Investments, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
• Joan Floura, President, Floura Teeter Landscape Architects
• Katherine Reilly, Strategic Partnerships Manager, NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC)
• Thomas Dickinson, STEM Leader, Anne Arundel County Public Schools, and STEM teacher at Center of Applied Technology North (CAT North)

Prince George’s County

• Dorothy Morrison, Founder, AYOD Group, LLC., former Director of Environment and Sustainability (previously MDOT)
• Stephanie Caronna, Leasing Representative, St. John Properties
• Emily Buttorff, VP of Strategy & Program Development, Vivacity Networks
• Kim Kiser, Senior Associate & Designer, Arris, a Design Studio, Inc.
• Dr. Felicia Martin Latief, STEM Director, Prince George's County Public Schools

These educators, business leaders, and students are happy to talk about how they got exposed to STEM careers, and how their careers and paths have evolved through education, exploration, and growth.