Our Mission
Catalyst is dedicated to increasing success and accelerating the transfer process of targeted under-represented groups majoring in STEM by providing a positive and collaborative environment for academic learning and offering pre-professional opportunities to expand and enhance awareness of the many STEM career options available upon degree completion.
Our Goals
- Promote academic excellence that leads to timely STEM major transfers
- Provide STEM career exploration opportunities that lead to declared majors
- Establish educational plans and pathways that lead to transfer and achievement of career goals
Achieving Our Goals
- Engagement through relevant, hands-on activities related to STEM classes/ study
- Networking (support system to navigate educational processes & resources)
- Collaboration (study groups)
- Leadership (through self-awareness of goals and the effective attitudes & behaviors to achieve goals), leading to confidence and success
Catalyst Member Benefits
- STEM Center study space
- Textbook Loan Program for select STEM courses
- Dedicated STEM Counselor
- Enhancement opportunities (e.g., internships, STEM conferences, & faculty mentoring)
- Peer Mentors
- Facilitate learning (especially in science & math)
- Promote opportunities (academic & social)
- Encourage and offer tips for success, as needed
- Model the behavior of successful STEM students
Activities and Events
- University visits (UC, Cal state, and private)
- Campus tour and/or activities
- Transfer Student “Speak Outs”
- Meet former PCC STEM major students who have transferred
- Learn what to expect before you transfer
- Extracurricular activities (hiking, mini golf, etc.)
How to become a part of the Catalyst community?
- Each term, students who are enrolled in a PCC Chemistry 1A class AND qualify as a URM(federal gov’t. definition) are invited to participate in a Catalyst orientation
- After the orientation, invitees determine participation level
- Level of participation determines benefits
Need more info?
Catalyst is sponsored by the Natural Sciences Division’s eSTEM grant
For more information, contact us at info@pccstem.org
