TAMIU’s USTEM Program Offers Students STEM Research Skills, $2,000 stipend

Starting this Summer, Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) incoming freshmen wishing to get a head start on college-level, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) research skills can apply to be a part of an innovative, $1.65 million U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded program and research project designed to prepare them for a lifetime of academic success.

TAMIU’s USTEM Program, funded by the NSF, provides selected students with a $2,000 stipend award to engage in a two-semester, two-summer STEM enrichment offering.

Dr. Claudia San Miguel, TAMIU College of Arts and Sciences dean underscored the program’s student focus.

“TAMIU incoming freshmen majoring in undergraduate Biology, Chemistry, Engineering and

Mathematics are encouraged to apply for the Program, which is focused on improving and increasing STEM graduation and retention rates,” Dr. San Miguel said.

Associate dean Dr. Marcus Antonius Ynalvez said the program presents a singular student opportunity.

“The TAMIU USTEM Program offers a rare opportunity to contribute to important science research while a TAMIU student. This is part of a research grant that explores how STEM-focused video projects influence a participant’s psychosocial and STEM persistence outcomes,” Dr. Ynalvez said.

During the summer, USTEM students will watch movies, participate in fun activities, and some will be part of a group that will create video projects. During Fall and Spring semesters, they will get a head start with STEM courses through lectures and lab exercises. During the fourth semester, they will engage in a summer research project and a field trip to San Antonio.

“The great thing about our program is that participants will essentially get paid to learn,” Ynalvez added, “They will receive eight, monthly payments of $250 per month. What’s even better is that this money can be used for non-tuition expenses.”

The USTEM program will be offered in a face-to-face setting, following social distancing protocols. Selected students will receive six credit hours that will count towards their degree plan, he explained.

There is no minimum GPA for program acceptance. Applicants must be newly admitted TAMIU freshmen, be enrolled full-time at TAMIU for the duration of the Program and be U.S. Citizens, National or Permanent Residents.

They must apply to be part of a random selection process and, if selected, will be eligible for compensation. The Program application takes less than 10 minutes and the deadline to apply is May 31. The application form can be found here.

For additional information, please contact TAMIU USTEM program manager Alicia Segovia at 956.326.2469 or email: ustem@tamiu.edu; Dr. Ynalvez at 956.326.2621 or email mynalvez@tamiu.edu, or visit the USTEM site.