Earlier this month, nine East Stroudsburg University Clear Path Scholars and three professors attended the National Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Scholars and Primary Investigators (PI) Meeting in Chicago.

ESU's Clear Path Scholar program offers scholarships to full-time students transferring to ESU from community colleges and majoring in STEM disciplines. The program is funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The S-STEM Scholars & PI Meeting is a nation-wide convening of S-STEM Scholars, PIs, and Co-PIs from active S-STEM Awards. This meeting provides an opportunity to build community throughout the S-STEM network, connect with potential employers and graduate degree programs, engage in professional and career development activities, and present work across a wide array of STEM disciplines.

"This is my second time taking scholars to this meeting. I love watching them realize how amazing they are and how many opportunities they have," said Olivia Carducci, Ph.D., professor and chair of mathematics. "I watch them grow up before my eyes in a weekend."

The scholars attended talks by professionals on their career paths, attended poster sessions with posters by both scholars and PIs, and had the opportunity to talk with representatives from various graduate programs. They also had the opportunity to select talks to attend on communication skills, applying for fellowships, and many other topics relevant to undergraduate and graduate students.

Sarah Macintire, a senior majoring in biotechnology from East Stroudsburg, Pa. said, "It was such a great opportunity and has motivated me to want to present my own research one day!"

The ESU Clear Path Scholars who attended the meeting are Nicholas Aiello, a junior biology major from Hawley, Pa.; Kalena Ayala, a freshman computer science major from Albrightsville, Pa.; Zavior Barron, a sophomore computer security major from East Stroudsburg, Pa.; Allicea Gruber, a freshman computer science major from Jim Thorpe, Pa.; Sarah Macintire, a senior majoring in biotechnology from East Stroudsburg, Pa.; Michael Mode, a junior computer science major from East Stroudsburg, Pa.; Angel Sanchez, a senior environmental studies major from Stroudsburg, Pa.; Joseph Seeley, a senior computer science major from Waymart, Pa.; and Evan Simmons, a senior biotechnology major from Cresco, Pa. They were joined by ESU Clear Path PIs, Dr. Carducci; T. Michelle Jones-Wilson, Ph.D., professor and department chair of chemistry; and Kristin Noblet, Ph.D., assistant professor of mathematics.

Also joining the group were Danielle Ringhoff, Ph.D, associate professor of chemistry at Northampton Community College; Millena Galatioto, a biotechnology student at the County College of Morris; and Mickaylia Mock, an environmental science student at Northampton Community College. Galatioto and Mock are Clear Path Scholars supported by Clear Path at their respective community colleges and plan to transfer to ESU to continue their education.

For more information on ESU's Clear Path Scholarships visit www.esu.edu/clear_path.