PUC’s STEM Scholars Program: A Community Beyond Campus

Last year, Pacific Union College launched a $5,000 STEM Scholarship to support students in the School of Sciences. This renewable scholarship is available and awarded to select incoming students who commit to science majors and maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher. This year, seven outstanding students received the scholarship, demonstrating collaboration, teamwork, and a close-knit support system.

“The current STEM scholars have impressed me not only with their academic excellence and diversity of interests but also with their intellectual curiosity,” said Christian Von Pohle, assistant professor of behavioral science. “They are always asking insightful questions in and outside of class. They also demonstrate a strong desire to deepen their understanding beyond the curriculum.”

For academic support, each scholar pairs with an upperclassman mentor who guides them through their classes. Alongside faculty advisors, scholars receive advice about their research and insight into different internship opportunities that lead to their career goals.

To facilitate the exploration of various career paths, the School of Sciences started on-campus workshops led by PUC alumni and guest speakers who work in STEM-related fields. These workshops have greatly benefited the students as they hear inspiring stories from real-world careers.

“Our STEM scholars have provided positive feedback as to the value of being exposed to professionals in STEM fields and the opportunity to network with our alumni,” said Von Pohle. “Finally, I’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback about the sense of community and belonging that our STEM scholars feel from being part of a cohort of like-minded peers.”

In addition to workshops, the department offers a range of events and activities for scholars throughout the school year. To start, the School of Sciences focuses on community gatherings during fall quarter, such as pre-vespers and meals together on and off campus. Additionally, STEM scholars participate in engaging activities, like visiting the San Francisco Zoo, stargazing at PUC’s observatory, and going on the annual Audubon bird count event.

Through mentorship, workshops, and activities, the School of Sciences fosters a community around its scholars to show them how supported they are. To give them a wider network of guidance, faculty welcome guest lectures to campus who can offer enlightenment to STEM students and share any research, internships, or job placement opportunities.

If you are interested in being a guest speaker or want to contribute to the STEM Scholarship, please contact biology@puc.edu.