UC STEM scholars attend Choose Ohio First state showcase

In an address before the full Choose Ohio First state community, Alvarez-Garcia shared her experiences with Choose Ohio First programs and UC’s experiential learning model. She described the community support that grew around her and the other scholars in the program and the passion she developed for empowering others to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine, or STEMM. 

Torres presented on his cooperative education experience with International TechneGroup in the poster presentation segment of the showcase, discussing his Graphical User Interface development project.   

In total, seven scholars from the UC program’s partner colleges traveled to participate in the showcase. Along with the sophomore scholars, five first-year students participated in the showcase. 

• Maricela Manzanares, biomedical engineering  
• Tia Current, chemical engineering  
• Claudia Aronoff, chemistry  
• Tracey Mensah , biological sciences  
• Derrya Mathis, health sciences 

The Choose Ohio First program is a major initiative of the Office of Inclusive Excellence and Community Engagement within UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science. The office works collaboratively with partners in the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Allied Health Sciences to provide engagement opportunities in a targeted effort to produce an ethnically, economically and gender-diverse group of graduates trained to excel in the STEMM disciplines via industry or academia.  

Funding through Choose Ohio First provides competitive scholarships that aid in meeting college costs. Awarded scholars have access to expanded and unique mentorship and programming opportunities in their disciplines.  

The Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program is a State of Ohio initiative designed to significantly strengthen Ohio’s competitiveness within STEMM education and industries.  The program is part of a strategic effort to retain Ohio residents and bolster Ohio’s economic strength by ensuring continued growth of a workforce ready for STEMM-related careers.   

The Office of Inclusive Excellence and Community Engagement strives to empower individuals to transform their lives and achieve their highest potential by offering programs, services and scholarships that will enhance learning and lead to success.