Penn State Abington undergraduates including STEM Inc. student Robert Jajko (second from right) and Vinayak Elangovan, associate professor of computer science (right), demonstrated a robot the students built at The Global Impact Forum / GSV x Penn State Accelerating AI for Good Conference Higher Education Student Spotlight. The event was a collaboration between Global Silicon Valley (GSV) and Penn State, aimed at fostering economic development, social mobility, and positive impact through education and innovation.
ABINGTON, Pa. — More than 50 students from local community colleges have successfully made the transition to Penn State Abington as STEM majors thanks to an innovative scholarship program exclusively for them.
STEM Inc. provides mentors, financial and academic support and exposure to student life opportunities that can enhance students' career and personal development.
Ashley Anthony, associate director of transfer admissions at Penn State Abington, and Ola El-Rashiedy, associate teaching professor of chemistry, recruit students from the community colleges in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.
“We hope to attract more students going forward especially those from groups that are chronically underrepresented in the STEM workforce and are interested in pursuing a four-year degree at Abington. The last three years have demonstrated our success,” El-Rashiedy said.
Osama Aljamal, who will graduate this fall with a degree in computer science, said the research and technical experience through STEM Inc. and the support of his faculty mentor elevated his resume and job prospects.
"The program connected me with my mentor, who employed me and had me participate in the Multi Campus Research Experience for Undergraduates, which was an important milestone. It helped me with applying to two specific opportunities that are related to the work I've done. My mentor, Dr. Yi Yang, is helping me find a job through his connections that is compatible to the work we did in his lab,” said Aljamal, who transferred to Abington in 2022.
Once students are accepted into STEM Inc., the focus turns to making their transition to Abington successful and preparing them for the workforce. Among the benefits of the program, students:
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Receive a $1,500 scholarship at the beginning of their first semester.
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Who earn a 3.0 GPA their first semester receive an additional $1,500 scholarship.
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Are hired for paid campus tech jobs their first semester.
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Are connected to faculty mentors and conduct research with them
Third-year computer science major Robert Jajko said the financial support and research opportunities were invaluable.
“STEM Inc. helped me find an opportunity to work on a research project with Dr. Vinayak Elangovan during my first semester at Abington," he said. "It was a fantastic learning experience that opened the door to other opportunities to work with him including a summer research project, attending and showcasing my work at WHYY and The Global Impact Forum 2024."
Michael Litka, a third-year information technology major, said he finds the curriculum engaging and challenging and that STEM Inc. is preparing him for the future.
“I was hired for a part-time job on campus in my field of study, and it has given me some great hands-on experience," he said. "Talking with other students about the transfer process helped answer some questions and ease the anxiety about moving schools. Everyone I have met through this program has been extremely helpful and encouraging."
About Penn State Abington
Penn State Abington provides an affordable, accessible and high-impact education resulting in the success of a diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st-century public higher education within a world-class research university. With more than 3,100 students, Penn State Abington is a residential campus that offers baccalaureate degrees in 25 majors, accelerated master's degrees, undergraduate research, the Schreyer Honors College, NCAA Division III athletics and more.
