Title III

Improving STEM Curricula, Support & Articulation for Hispanic, Women & Low Income Students

Mount St. Mary’s College was awarded a five year (2011-2016) Title III STEM federal grant to enhance curricula and support for female students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, known as STEM disciplines.

The Title III STEM Grant seeks to:

1. Repurpose five classrooms into high-tech science and mathematics centers;
2. Intensify faculty development;
3. Enhance undergraduate research opportunities in STEM fields;
4. Increase the number of students graduating with bachelor’s degrees in these fields;
5. Align math and science coursework at the two-year El Camino College with requirements at the Mount.
6. Support a Transition Support Center with career and academic advisers and peer tutors.

The Summer Jump Start Program is a five week program designed to help students make a successful transition to college life. This fun and exciting program includes workshops and seminars aimed at creating success, guided research with science faculty, math preparation course, and career oriented field trips.

Contact Information:

Leticia Rodriguez, Activity Director

Leticia (Letty) brings twenty-two years of progressively responsible experience in higher education administration, devoted to organizing and managing extended/continuing education and grant activities. Most recently, she served as Director of Academic Programs at CSU Long Beach. She has also held administrative positions at Marymount College in Rancho Palos Verdes, the University of Texas at El Paso, and the Dallas County Community College District.

She earned a Bachelor in Business Administration with an emphasis Management from the University of Texas at El Paso and a M.A. with an emphasis in Human Resources from Webster University in St. Louis, MO. 310.954.4421. 

Sandy Chavez, Transition Center Advisor

Sandy recently left her position as Academic Counselor for USC’s Upward Bound Math/Science Program serving as an advisor to high school students guiding them through the college admission/financial aid  process as well as leading their student recruitment and retention efforts.

Sandy received her B.A in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a M. Ed. with a Bilingual CLAD credential from UCLA.  In her role as Transition Center Advisor, she will provide career, academic and personal counseling to STEM students. 310-954.4109.

Susan Briggs, Activity Assistant                 

Susan (Sue) has worked for many years in a higher education setting, at Loyola Marymount University and Mount St. Mary’s College, holding positions such as Program Administrative Assistant for the National Institutes of Health Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) grant program at MSMC, Administrative Assistant for the MSMC Biological Sciences Department, and Office Coordinator, Donor Relations Writer, and Donor Relations Coordinator at LMU. 

Susan received her B.A. in English from the University of California, Santa Cruz and her M.A. in English with a creative writing emphasis from Loyola Marymount University.  In her role as Activity Assistant, she provides administrative support to the Department of Education Title III STEM grant. 310.954.4060.

• STEM Summer Jump Start 2013