Award Recognizes Programs That Support Recruitment and Retention of Underrepresented Students into STEM Fields
The University of Houston’s STEM Research Inquiry Summer Enrichment Program, or STEM RISE, has been awarded the 2024 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from Insight into Diversity Magazine.
The award honors initiatives and programs across the nation that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. STEM RISE was recognized along with 82 other outstanding programs across the country in the September 2024 issue of Insight into Diversity magazine.
STEM RISE is a collaboration between the UH College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics’ STEM teacher preparation program, teachHOUSTON, and the UH Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine.
In partnership with Third Ward community leaders and Jack Yates High School, high school students from Jack Yates gain hands-on experience in research and receive mentorship from UH faculty, medical students and undergraduate students. Medical students and undergraduate students conduct research in labs across the University while also receiving teaching opportunities and professional development.
Building Authentic Community Partnerships
“This award is not just a recognition of what we’ve achieved; it’s a testament to the strength of authentic community partnerships and the impact we can have when we unite to support our students,” said Mariam Manuel, director of STEM RISE and clinical assistant professor in STEM education with the teachHOUSTON program. “As a university that resides in Third Ward, it is our responsibility to build pathways with care, creating a bridge for local students to see UH as a place that is both accessible and committed to their success.”
“A program like this isn’t built in isolation,” she adds, “it thrives on the dedication of a passionate team, committed partners, and a shared vision. What makes me proudest is the heart of this program: its commitment to service and its ability to build a genuine sense of community for and with the participants.”
One of those community partners is Patrice Yarbough, a 1976 graduate of Jack Yates High School, and a 1980 biochemistry Bachelor of Science graduate and 1985 biochemistry Ph.D. graduate of UH’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
“The inception of STEM RISE in summer 2021 was a significant step toward providing Houston inner city students an opportunity to experience college-level scientific research in an immersive summer program,” Yarbough said. “I assure you that STEM RISE is the 'bridge' to a science education that will help develop a Houston pipeline of talent capable of diversifying the STEM workforce.”
Unique Challenges, Unique Students
This year held unique challenges for the team due to a derecho storm in the spring as they were preparing programming for the summer and Hurricane Beryl in the middle of the program. Yet this year also had positive additions, such as partnerships with nonprofits Eight Million Stories, an organization dedicated to transforming the lives of youth who are out of work and school, and Project Row Houses, an initiative that improves lives through art. Manuel said these partnerships “brought a level of community connection that made STEM RISE more meaningful this summer.”
STEM RISE has also grown to include more culturally responsive teaching through professional development. This form of teaching is focused on students and what their unique experiences bring to the classroom. It can be especially beneficial to students from diverse backgrounds due to the variety of perspectives they contribute.
“We’ve seen firsthand how providing opportunities for students who may not traditionally see themselves in STEM can open doors, spark new interests and shift perspectives,” said Jacqueline Ekeoba, director of STEM RISE Instruction and teachHOUSTON clinical assistant professor. “When students connect STEM learning to their own lived experiences, it becomes more than just education—it becomes a pathway to their dreams. This is why we center culturally responsive teaching and mentorship in our program: to create an environment where each student feels seen, valued and empowered to pursue their goals.”
Evolution and Expansion
STEM RISE’s success is also due to its expansion of research opportunities for students. The program has grown from working with just two research labs on campus to now working with seven labs across various colleges at UH.
Manuel credits Michelle Carroll Turpin, director of STEM RISE Research Experience, assistant dean of admissions and clinical associate professor at UH’s Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine. Turpin helped partner with different STEM labs on campus to give students a well-rounded research experience while also ensuring the lab’s principal investigators, medical and graduate mentors had the resources they needed.
Another evolution for the program this year was acquiring additional funding through RESET in STEM, a project that was born out of the success and community partnerships of STEM RISE. Both programs are funded by the National Science Foundation.
“The expansion enabled us to join forces, offering a more robust summer program for our scholars that continues through after school support in the fall and spring,” said Manuel, principal investigator for both STEM RISE and RESET in STEM. “Our collective team of co-directors, professors Jacqueline Ekeoba, Michelle Carroll Turpin, Jerrod Henderson, Donna Stokes and April Peters-Hawkins — along with community partners like April LaSalle at Jack Yates High School, Marvin Pierre with 8 Million Stories and Brian Ellison with Project Row Houses — have been vital to the program’s growth and impact.”
Manuel added, “I would also like to recognize Thomas Thesen, whose early leadership as part of our inaugural team of directors was instrumental in launching STEM RISE and setting it on a path for continued success. Together, this team’s dedication and vision have been key in making each summer a transformative experience for our students.”
- Rebeca Hawley for College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics