STEM Connect Expands Summer Research Opportunities: 114 RCC Students Engage in Research at Partner Universities

Riverside City College (RCC) is celebrating a record summer of discovery, collaboration, and achievement as 114 Tigers stepped into the role of researchers through the STEM Connect program. Now in its seventh year, this powerful initiative continues to strengthen partnerships with local universities while opening doors for RCC students to engage in hands-on, career-launching research.

This summer’s projects collaborated with four campuses — University of California, Riverside (UCR), California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), and RCC itself — highlighting the strength of RCC’s ties to the region’s top research institutions.

“These research opportunities began back in 2019 with a handful of students and have expanded over the years to accommodate more students and more faculty/lab partners at multiple institutions. We’re so proud of all the students who have participated and all of their hard work,” explained Virginia White, PhD, Professor of Botany.

From biochemistry and plant sciences at UCR, to animal physiology and geological science at CSUSB, to civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering at CSUF, and even astronomy and computer science right here at RCC, students were immersed in real-world challenges that connected classroom learning to meaningful discovery.

• UCR: 38 students conducted cutting-edge projects across eight departments.

• CSUSB: 20 students engaged in multi-week projects that stretched their skills in STEM.

• CSUF: 20 students gained exposure to the fast-moving world of engineering.

• RCC: 36 students advanced research in astronomy and computer science right on their home campus.

Building Bridges Across Communities

What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the deep collaboration between RCC and its surrounding communities. Students didn’t just join projects — they became part of professional research teams, mentored by 32 dedicated faculty members across partner universities. Their work culminated in professional presentations at UCR’s MSRIP program and CSUSB’s USRP Mini-Conference, with more to come at the RCCD Student Research Conference this fall.

“This program is a shining example of what happens when higher education institutions work together. Our students are not only gaining critical skills — they’re also building connections that will carry them into their transfer institutions and future careers,” said Luis Molina, Project Manager, STEM Grants.

Celebrating Student Potential

By linking students to meaningful opportunities in the heart of the Inland Empire and beyond, STEM Connect continues to prove that RCC students are not just ready for the future — they are shaping it.

“Programs like STEM Connect show our students that they belong in research labs, in conferences, and in conversations about the future of science and technology,” said Luis Molina, Project Manager, STEM Grants. “This is community connection at its best — where mentorship, partnership, and student drive come together to transform lives.”

About STEM Connect
STEM Connect is a flagship RCC initiative that pairs students with faculty mentors at leading universities to provide access to research opportunities rarely available at the community-college level. Over seven years, the program has grown into a regional network of discovery, mentorship, and opportunity — a model of success that celebrates the collective strength of community partnerships.

“Because we are partnering with very diverse transfer universities, our students get to see themselves in the graduate students, postdocs, and faculty mentors in the labs. They get to see every level of STEM education working together on a project. Everyone has a part to play in the lab success- the project would not be successful without everyone doing their part. This is truly how science works- it’s a team effort that draws on individuals with varied backgrounds, expertise, and experience,” highlighted White, PhD.