STEM Deans Benjamin Benton (School of Mathematics, Science & Engineering) and Shunda Ware (School of Business, Computing & Applied Technologies) announced the names of 31 individual STEM students whose efforts and achievements were recognized as STEM Students of the Semester for their work in Fall 2024. The deans also announced a team of 13 STEM students who were recognized for a STEM Student Teamwork Award!
“Individual STEM students were selected by their course professors, based on demonstrating persistence and achievement in their academic studies," Benton said.
Benton further explained that the students selected often had to overcome obstacles during their studies and/or assisted other students.
“By sharing the stories of these STEM students, we hope to inspire other STEM students to persist in completing their programs,” Benton continued.
The Student Teamwork Award was given to a cohort of students who have been working collaboratively in Physics 101 this semester with Professor Andria Schwortz.
“I have nominated my entire PHY 101-01 class for Fall 2024. This class of 13 students has shown incredible grit in pushing through on very hard material," said Schwortz. "They face challenges such as raising children including a nephew and a grandchild, a death in the family, new and existing medical conditions and working full-time jobs. And yet they are sweet and kind both to each other and to me. They jumped into action when a failed demonstration led to me taking a small tumble. They take notes and photos for a classmate who can't make it to class. They help explain complex ideas to their peers during lectures and work together to create polished lab reports. Their hard work coupled with their kindness will serve them well in their futures, whether moving on to Mass. College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences or Northeastern University, whether looking for careers in computer science or environmental studies, or even if they are still undecided. I am pleased to nominate my whole PHY 101-01 class for the STEM Student of the Semester award.”
All the STEM Students of the Semester for Fall 2024 were notified by a letter containing quotes from the faculty member who selected them. The STEM Students of the Semester were honored at a breakfast sponsored by QCC’s STEM Starter Academy where they recevied a Certificate of Recognition from QCC President Dr. Luis Pedraja on February 5, 2025. Student success stories will be shared in various QCC media channels, including future issues of The Wyvern Guardian newsletter.
Students receiving individual recognition and the STEM area they were selected in are listed below.
Aaron Jackson Technology
Alicia Anderson Technology
Amenah Al-Hadeethi Engineering
Anhelina Martseniuk Science
Audberto Benavides Technology
Audrey Torres Mathematics
Benjamin Hardcastle Science
Camilla Gottschald Science
Chuong Le Engineering
Dennis Robinson Engineering
Derrick Oppong Science
Elena Espinoza Science
Eric Anderson Technology
Evan Swackhammer Technology
Frances Fernandez Engineering
Francis Rosales Science
Jeremy Lartey Science
Joeun Yang Mathematics
John-Paul Zietkowski Engineering
Kaitlyn Whelan Technology
Kathiria Rivera Science
Maria Snell Technology
Marlon Batista Technology
Matthew Mingolla Mathematics
Maxim Najarian Technology
Mia McElroy Engineering
Phan Nha Tran Engineering
Prisca Nakanwagi Engineering
Scott Anastasio Technology
Shahua Yan Science
Tyler Wilson Mathematics
Students receiving the STEM Teamwork Award (Professor Schwortz’s Physics 101 class) are:
Alana Purretta
April Swanson
Danielle Weaver
Francis Rosales
Godwin Ikelle
Jaz Medero
Jidalis Gonzalez
Joseph Vaudreuil
Milena Feitosa De Souza
Monique Akeman
Morrison Bonilla
Sam Borelli
Sandhya Dhakal
For more information, contact STEM Initiatives Program Administrator Adrienne Linnell at alinnell@qcc.mass.edu