Another one! The 3rd Annual STEM Connect-ions Career & Transfer Expo
The third annual STEM Connect-ions Career & Transfer Expo was held on October 17, 2024. This event aims to support STEM students by connecting them to research opportunities, transfer institutions, and the campus community, like student clubs and support services.
Participating transfer institutions included UCR School of Medicine, CSU San Bernardino, CSU San Marcos, CSU Fullerton, University of Redlands, and others. Campus resources and student clubs represented at the event featured the Career Center, MESA, STEM Engagement Center, Transfer Center, Chem Club, Women in STEM, Plant Club, and more. The event showcased a total of 13 transfer tables, 6 student clubs, 7 support services tables, and 4 research opportunities tables. With over 330 student pre-registrations and an attendance of more than 500 students, the Expo was a tremendous success. Attendees who participated in the Expo received a bagged lunch from Cheba Hut.
Students and RCC Professor Virgina White taking a selfie at the STEM Connect-ion event.
Survey feedback from students (N=293) revealed that the Expo significantly enhanced their understanding of potential STEM careers (73%), raised awareness of RCC support services available to students (56%), increased familiarity with transfer opportunities (48%), and helped them connect with faculty in their major (40%). Furthermore, 89% of attendees reported feeling more confident in their STEM career goals after participating in the STEM Connect-ions Career & Transfer Expo.
Student feedback reaffirms that STEM Connect—funded through grants from the U.S. Department of Education and the National Science Foundation, with support from the Career Center and Transfer Center—is delivering impactful programming for underrepresented STEM students