Midwestern State University’s McCoy College of Science, Mathematics and Engineering has launched the STEM Pathways Mentorship Program, a new initiative focused on making STEM education more accessible and engaging for local students. 

In partnership with Café con Leche’s Road to College Program, the initiative will pair participants with MSU Texas mentors, offer hands-on learning opportunities, and introduce students to real-world applications of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, helping them envision themselves as future college students and STEM professionals.  

The purpose of this program is to raise awareness, spark interest, and encourage enrollment in STEM programs at MSU Texas by engaging motivated middle and high school students in ongoing, meaningful academic mentorship and exposure to university-level STEM activities.  

This program is in line with the priorities of our recently established Center for STEM Excellence to partner with area schools and support the pipeline of STEM-interested students in grades 6-12 while enhancing teacher engagement in student-led STEM projects. Program planning will take place this spring with the goal of launching the program this summer. 

Taylor Majewski, STEM Center of Excellence Director for the McCoy College of Science, Mathematics and Engineering received a $100,000 grant from the Special Competitive Studies Project, which is a non-profit, non-partisan organization founded by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Ylli Bajraktari. The organization was inspired by the Rockefeller Special Studies Project of the 1950s and builds upon the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, incorporating guidance for technologies beyond artificial intelligence that, among other things, support initiatives to involve K-12 students in STEM.  Dr. Brennan, Dean for the McCoy College of Science, Mathematics and Engineering serves as a Co-PI on the grant, and Gonzalo Robles, Director of Café con Leche, serves as a key personnel on the grant. 

“Partnering with the Road to College program to expand STEM opportunities is a tremendous step forward for students,” Majewski said. “This collaboration increases access to hands-on STEM experiences and emerging technologies, ensuring students have meaningful exposure during high school. Our goal is to engage students early, helping them explore the full range of opportunities the STEM field offers and empowering them to envision a future within it.”