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STEM Starter Academy

  • Assabet Valley Technical High School Students visiting the Advanced Manufacturing Lab

Assabet Valley Technical High School Students visiting the Advanced Manufacturing Lab (photos)

The STEM Starter Academy (SSA) program is an initiative of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) that began in 2013 through the leadership of Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and support from the Massachusetts Legislature. In partnership with the Commonwealth’s community college system, the purpose of STEM Starter Academy is to recruit, ready, retain and graduate a diverse body of students earning STEM certificates and degrees who go on to transfer to a 4-year STEM programs and/or enter the workforce.

The Importance of STEM in Massachusetts 

Jobs that require a strong foundation in STEM education are increasing in number, expanding into new fields and transforming traditional careers. Massachusetts needs a robust, diverse and growing STEM workforce to sustain our economy and advance the Commonwealth’s reputation for innovation, globally

STEM Starter Academy at QCC

  • STEM-focused recruitment strategies emphasizing the exciting opportunities in engineering, technology, computing & information technology, sciences & math.
  • Support & information sessions: Learn about our QCC Mentoring Program, Subject Tutoring Center, Math Center, Student Accessibility Services, counseling, resume assistance, transfer options, free summer transfer program @ state schools, QCC clubs & activities, etc.
  • Advising Support: Freshman are assigned to an Academic Advisor and second year+ students are assigned to a STEM Faculty Advisor.
  • Monthly support with STEM Starter Academy Student Liaison, Kristyn Norris. knorris [at] qcc.mass.edu  
  • QCC Mentoring Program with Kalan Lewis at klewis [at] qcc.mass.edu
  • Summer Bridge Program in July. Freshman First Year Experience Course with a STEM focus. Contact Darcy Carlson: dcarlson [at] qcc.mass.edu
  • Computer Orientation in August for incoming freshman. Learn all about the computer programs QCC has to offer. Meet the computer faculty. Contact Darcy Carlson: dcarlson [at] qcc.mass.edu
  • Research & Internship Opportunities.
  • Industry Field Trips & STEM Workshops. 
  • MASS Teach Program.
  • 2-4 Year Transfer Program.

STEM Starter Academy Q&A

STEM Starter Academy: Student Experience

MassTeach Program Q&A

General Studies - Pre-Pharmacy Option

Liberal Arts - Environmental Science

STEM News

STEM Students of the Semester

STEM Stories: Students of the Semester Spring 2023

In April 2023, QCC Deans Betty Lauer and Ben Benton announced that 48 QCC students were recognized as STEM Students of the Spring 2023 Semester. Below we feature profiles of a second group of these students, sharing why they were selected and stories of their journey on the road to achieving student success. Congratulations to all!

SCIENCE

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From left: Michael Githure, Evensha Semerzier and Larissa Souza

STEM Stories: STEM Students of the Semester

In April 2023, QCC Deans Betty Lauer and Ben Benton announced that 48 QCC students were recognized as STEM Students of the Spring 2023 Semester. Below we feature profiles of the first group of these students, sharing why they were selected, and stories of their journeys on the road to achieving student success. Congratulations to all!

SCIENCE

Evensha Semerzier...

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STEM Students of the Semester for Spring 2023

STEM Deans Announce STEM Students of the Semester

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Deans Betty Lauer (School of Business, Engineering & Technology) and Ben Benton (School of Mathematics and Science) have announced the names of QCC students being recognized for the Spring 2023 semester program as STEM Students of the Semester. This program is designed to recognize the efforts and achievements of...

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Assabet Valley students with Professor Lee Duerden

High School Students Get Free Manufacturing Certification from STEM Starter Academy

Last month, Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School students came to QCC for a CNC certification. This was the first time high school students have come to QCC to receive a credential. Thanks to funding from the STEM Starter Academy, this certification, which would normally cost $250, came at no cost to participants. Students were also awarded three credits for the Basic Machine Operator...

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MBI Grant

QCC Receives Diversity and Workforce STEM Grants from MBI

Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives (MBI), the longest-running life sciences incubator in the Commonwealth, announced today that Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) received a 2022 Workforce Challenge Grant and a 2022 Increasing Diversity in STEM Challenge Grant. MBI’s Challenge Grants help fund programs that increase the diversity of the life sciences workforce, while also solving the industry’s future...

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