FARMINGTON – San Juan College got a boost for its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Program and is now able to create a program to support students majoring in fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics thanks to a grant from Chevron USA Inc.
The $30,000 grant will be used to provide professional development to faculty and staff and resources to students that will help them prepare for college.
The funding also will allow the college to bring in guest speakers to provide encouragement and inspiration so students can build the confidence to know “they belong and can succeed” in STEM and energy-related fields.
“We are so grateful for the longstanding partnership we have with Chevron,” said San Juan College President Toni Hopper Pendergrass. “This funding will definitely contribute to the future success of our students.”
The goal of the bridge program, according to a news release from San Juan College spokeswoman Rhonda Schaefer is to span the gap for minority students so they are better prepared for college-level entry courses in core subjects such as English, math, chemistry and biology.
“We want all students to have similar levels of success in completing their coursework at San Juan College,” said Cary Baird, public and government affairs advisor for the Chevron Mid-Continent Business Unit. “We’ve built a great relationship with the college and that has laid the foundation for us to be able to contribute to this program.”
Chevron has worked with San Juan College for more than 30 years and Baird said the graduates are in high demand. Baird said Chevron usually helps with scholarships, but this year, the firm’s executives decided to do something different.
“This year because of the social challenges that have come to light as a result of the BLM movement, Chevron has become very sensitive to the opportunity for minority students, not just in the workforce, but also in school,” Baird said.
Schaefer said data show that since the 2015-2016 school year, “gaps in success rates among racial and ethnic groups” starting college are growing.
“English, Math, Chemistry and Biology are often program requirements to successfully earn a degree or certificate in a STEM/Energy major,” Schaefer said in the news release. “By offering a bridge program as added support for minority students, success rates could increase in key courses, thereby improving the chances of completing a degree or certificate in a timely manner.”
According to the release, 11% to 15% of degrees at San Juan College are in STEM related fields. The release also said about 60% of students enrolled in STEM and energy-related fields are from minority groups, the bulk of them Native Americans and Alaska Natives.
mmitchell@durangoherald.com