Foundations of Student Success 1 & 2

Foundations of Student Success 1 & 2 are now available in blackboard for those who notified me that they were going to participate.  If you have not replied, let me know and I will add you in. For those of you in the course, let me know how the course is going.

Foundations of Student Success 1 - Signing Agreement Form

If your planning on completing the Foundations of Student Success 1 please come to my office and see me to sign an Agreement Form.  I will be sending an e-mail to give you more information on my availability.

Upcoming University Representative Visits

Here is a list of the upcoming University Representative Visits to PC:

Grand Canyon University, Monday, Feb. 7th 9am-1pm


Univ. of Arizona, Tuesday, Feb. 8th 9am-12noon

NAU-  Daily, Monday-Thursday   8am-6pm

All reps will be in the Hannelly Center.

About TGen and Their Summer Internship Program

The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) invited the Title V staff and STEM scholars on a tour of their research laboratories, which took place on Thursday February 2, 2011. The day started with a presentation of the type of research TGen is conducting and the various partners TGen is collaborating with to come up with personalized medicine for various diseases. Brandy Wells commented that in today’s society there is no connection between doctors and scientists and TGen is being active to bridge these two important entities. In theory, when doctors detect a disease they could have scientists research the patient’s tissue and come up with personalized treatments. This personalized medication will work for that disease and for the individual’s specific gene. Every individual is different and generic medication does not work for everyone. Insurance companies are acknowledging this issue and therefore are supporting the research that TGen is conducting on genes. The research is not only being conducted on human genes, but also on man’s best friend (canine). Through this research (Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium) TGen is helping to find cures for many cancers affecting our pets and relate this research to the various diseases attacking the human population.


TGen has a location in Flagstaff which focuses on microbial research, such as solutions to combat Anthrax. At that location they also work on drug development. The tour initiated with a look at their super computer room and then we headed to check out the gene sequencer equipment. We also viewed new equipment that they were using to cut out tumor cells from healthy cells in order for scientist to conduct the research on the tumor cells and then compare it to the healthy cells. In all, TGen is a great place to obtain experience in biomedical research. The staff supports the interns and guides them throughout the process. I encourage you to apply to their summer paid internship program as it is a great opportunity.

TGen’s summer internship is called the Helios Scholars Program and it is a paid internship. It is an eight week program and the 45 students selected will work with a mentor-scientist for 40 hours a week and get paid $12.50/hour. Students gain knowledge in all aspects of translational research through laboratory / clinical research or in computational sciences such as bioinformatics, depending on the interest of the student. The TGen staff pairs you up with a mentor in an area that you are interested. Throughout the summer, Helios Scholars learn about the human genome, present their research to peers, attend seminars, social networking events and present their design a scientific poster for their program capstone at the Symposium. The application is online at: www.tgen.org/intern and it is open until March 4, 2011. Do not hesitate to apply, the sooner the better. Since it is an online application give yourself and whoever is doing your 2 letters of recommendation to have enough time to complete the form. If you are interested, stop by my office and I can help you through the process.

Spring Modules – Foundations of Student Success 2 (FSS2)

The first module for Foundations of Student Success will be made available on February 14, 2011. I will keep you all updated in regards to the modules, but for now just keep concentrating on setting a good foundation in your courses. Those of you who did not complete the first seven modules of the Foundations of Student Success 1(FSS1) will also be able to begin on February 14, 2011. If you want to tackle both sets of modules to be considered for the Peer Mentoring Training in the summer, you may do so. However, you are not required to complete both sets, only if your schedule allows for it and you want to be a candidate for the summer training.


Here is the schedule for FSS2 Modules:


1 - Undergraduate Research Internships : February 14, 2011

2 - Letters of Recommendation : February 25, 2011

3 - Personal Statement : March 7, 2011

4 - Preparing to Transfer to the University : March 28, 2011

5 - Further Career Exploration/Development : April 11, 2011

6 - Resume Writing : April 20, 2011


Here is the list of the modules to complete for FSS1 if you are going to be working on this set:


1 - Navigating Phoenix College

2 - Me, Inc.

3 - Managing Your Time

4 - Note Taking

5 - Study Hints and Shortcuts

6 - Papers, Reports, Assignments and Exams

7 - Putting It All Together

Note: FSS1 will be made available on February 14, 2011 and you may work on the modules at your own pace.

Spring Modules - Foundations of Student Success II

The first Foundations of Student Success will be made available on February 14, 2011. I will keep you all updated in regards to the modules, but for now just keep concentrating on setting a good foundation in your courses. Those of you who did not complete the first seven modules of the Foundations of Student Success will also be able to begin on February 14, 2011. If you want to tackle both sets of modules to be considered for the Peer Mentoring Training in the summer, you may do so. However, you are not required to complete both sets, only if your schedule allows for it and you want to be a candidate for the summer Peer Mentoring Training.

Foundations of Student Success 1 and 2

Foundations of Student Success 2 for this spring semester is comprised of six modules, which will prepare you for applying to various internship opportunities this summer. For example, TGen (Translational Genomics Research Institute) has informed us that they are accepting applications until March 4, 2011 for their summer internship program.  This is a paid internship in biomedical research, where interns work with TGen scientists in various research projects on diseases and disorders such as autism, Alzheimer’s and a variety of cancers. The modules can be found in your blackboard.

As you all know, once you complete the modules you are compensated with a $500 stipend. For those who completed the Fall Foundations of Student Success 1, the stipends are being processed. However, those of you who did not complete the Fall Foundations of Student Success 1, you may do so this semester and if you want to be considered for the Summer Session Peer Mentoring Training you would want to complete the Foundations of Student Success 2 in order to be competitive for one of the 10 paid slots. If you complete both Foundations of Student Success 1 and 2 you can earn up to $1,000 in total stipend. Once you complete the Peer Mentor Training you are considered to be a Peer Mentor for first-year STEM Scholars and get monetary compensation. I will be facilitating the modules.

Let me know what your plans are in regards to Foundations of Student Success 1 and 2 by e-mailing me or stopping by my office.  Don’t hesitate to sign up this week or next week as there are limited slots available.

Upcoming Events; TGen Internship Opportunity/Tour

Upcoming Events

TGen – The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) has informed us that they are accepting applications until March 4, 2011 for their summer internship program. This is a paid internship in biomedical research, where interns work with TGen scientists in various research projects on diseases and disorders such as autism, Alzheimer’s and a variety of cancers. If you are interested in this type of work, you are welcome to join us in a tour of the TGen facilities this Thursday (February 3, 2011) at 9 am. Please contact Seth Goodman as soon possible, preferably by Wednesday (February 2, 2011), so that we can accommodate you.

Ursa Majors Field Trips – As Seth Goodman previously communicated to you in an earlier e-mail, we will continue to accompany Ursa Majors Science Club on their field trips. You are welcome to attend the following activities:

• 2/25 – Casa Grande bio-fuel algae farm (tentative date)
• 4/10 – Walnut Canyon Park
• 4/00 – Museum of Northern Arizona (exact date to be announced)
• 4/29 - Theater for screening of new Earth Day movie (“African Cats”)

STD/HIV & U Seminars – PC will once again offer the STDs/HIV & U Seminars. Some of your teachers may be offering extra credit if you attend this event, so don’t hesitate to ask. If you are shy, you can always e-mail them. Attendees will receive a certificate of participation, which you can show to your teacher. You are encouraged to attend any of the three scheduled dates:

• Tuesday, February 8, 2011 (ASL interpreted); 5: 15 – 6:30 pm ; Willo Room
• Thursday, February 10, 2011; 1:00 – 2:15 pm; Willo Room
• Friday, February 11, 2011; 12:00 – 1:15 pm; Willo Room

Math and Science Specialist - Introduction

Hello! STEM Scholars,

My name is Laura Torres and I am pleased to be the new Title V Math and Science Specialist. I cannot wait to meet all of you. As a way to break the ice, I would like to introduce myself. In 2009, I attained my Bachelors in Science and Engineering (B.S.E) within the branch of Civil/Environmental Engineering. President Barack Obama was the speaker at my graduation ceremony and in his speech he stimulated us (the graduates) to continue achieving other dreams. Graduations are a celebration of an accomplishment, but should also serve as a motivation to complete more goals. In a time of economic strains, this speech was very inspiring and it has been well-infused in my mind. It reminds me that we need to keep going (like the energizer bunny). There are so many opportunities we can take advantage, and as President Obama stated: if there are no opportunities, make them. It is time to act, to put our skills into action and help others.

My passion in life is to help others and therefore I have previously served as a Senior Counselor for the Math Science Honors Program (MSHP) at ASU, tutored both at ASU and Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), and was a member for various organizations at ASU. Math and science have always been my two favorite subjects and therefore I am so delighted to be your Math and Science Specialist. I would like to use my educational experience to assist you in having a successful semester and to accomplish your goals. Stop by my office when you have a chance, so that I can get to know you. I am located in what used to be Valerie’s office in the lower level of the library. I will post a schedule on my door for the possible time slots when we can meet. However, you are always welcome to stop by at any time or schedule an appointment with me. I will also be available at the Success Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I have been a student and continue to be a student (I am working on my Masters in Environmental Technology Management), so I understand the various challenges that a student may confront. As my engineering professors have stated, there are always solutions to the various complications we can encounter. I hope this introduction gives you an idea of my background. However, stop by; I look forward to meeting you in person. Have a great day!