Grant to help underrepresented students interested in STEM careers
Utica College has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support increasing the number of students from underrepresented minorities earning bachelors’ degrees in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Utica College is part of the Central New York Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) that includes a handful of schools throughout upstate New York, including Ithaca College, SUNY Cortland, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Tompkins Cortland Community College and Herkimer College. This alliance of small schools has two primary goals: to expand high-impact practices enabling underrepresented minority students to experience the maximum benefits of STEM education in a small school environment, and to strengthen transfer pathways to the STEM baccalaureate for underrepresented minority (URM) students who begin at a community college.
Student after student thanked Thomas for her mentorship, patience, support and contagious enthusiasm.
“This professor made me feel even more empowered to learn,” said one former student. “She is the first person on my long list of favorite professors. She is the reason I started to believe in myself, and adjust to the college environment,” said another.
These comments are just a few of many heartfelt nominations for Jessica Thomas, associate professor of biology, from colleagues and current and former students. Thomas was honored at Commencement with the coveted Dr. Virgil Crisafulli Distinguished Teaching Award, presented to a faculty member who exemplifies the highest traditions of teaching. The award is named for the late Dr. Virgil Crisafulli, much-loved professor emeritus of economics and one of the founders of Utica College in 1946. Fondly known to students and colleagues as “Dr. Cris,” Crisafulli made it his mission to help working-class students succeed.
.a supportive, caring, understanding and hardworking mentor. She works hard on her research, excels as a professor and adviser, believes in her students and helps them understand their potential.”
Sara Scanga, professor of biology, has been named the 2021 recipient of the prestigious Harold T. Clark Jr. Award. Since joining Utica College in 2010, Scanga has published 12 papers in peer-reviewed journals; has worked with dozens of undergraduate students on research projects and recently helped write two grants, each of which were awarded, totaling almost $750,000. Both grants involve creating new opportunities for research with undergraduate students.
Scanga’s field of research and expertise is plant ecology, the study of how and why plants occur where they do, and how environmental conditions affect them, including entire ecosystems. Her research takes place on her computer, in the greenhouse, the laboratory and in the field.
.a supportive, caring, understanding and hardworking mentor. She works hard on her research, excels as a professor and adviser, believes in her students and helps them understand their potential.”
Sara Scanga, professor of biology, has been named the 2021 recipient of the prestigious Harold T. Clark Jr. Award. Since joining Utica College in 2010, Scanga has published 12 papers in peer-reviewed journals; has worked with dozens of undergraduate students on research projects and recently helped write two grants, each of which were awarded, totaling almost $750,000. Both grants involve creating new opportunities for research with undergraduate students.
Scanga’s field of research and expertise is plant ecology, the study of how and why plants occur where they do, and how environmental conditions affect them, including entire ecosystems. Her research takes place on her computer, in the greenhouse, the laboratory and in the field.