NSF Mentored Pathways Scholarship
Mentored Pathways Program Benefits
Join our growing community of STEM scholars! Benefits of joining this program include, but are not limited to:
Scholarships
Up to $10,000 per academic year in scholarships!
Workshops and Events
Specialized workshops and activites focused on STEM classes, transfering, and career exploration! Opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research!
Mentoring and SDSU Transfer Benefits
Personalized mentoring from SWC faculty! Up to 10 students tranferring to SDSU may continue this program at SDSU!
As part of this program, you will join a community of STEM scholars enjoying the following benefits:
- Up to $10,000 per academic year, based on financial need
- Personalized mentoring by SWC chemistry faculty
- The opportunity to participate in:
- Joint activities with SDSU's Chemistry department and IMSD/MARC programs
- Specialized workshops and activities designed to help you succeed at SWC, explore career opportunities, and apply for internships
- Cutting-edge scientific research, including a paid summer bridge program if continuing the program at SDSU
- Up to 10 students per year will have the opportunity to continue this program as Chemistry/Biochemistry
majors at SDSU
- Note: Transfer to SDSU is not a requirement of this program
- Transferring to SDSU, but not a Chem/Biochem major? You can now transfer as part
of the STEM Pathways Program!
- Mentored Pathways students are automatically considered for co-enrollment in the STEM Pathways Program at SWC.
All students are encouraged to apply! Students will be selected based on the following criteria:
- Students are enrolled as Chemistry/Biochemistry majors or a related STEM field
- Allied Health majors (nursing, kinesiology, etc.) are not eligible for this program
- Enrolled 6 units or more at SWC
- Students enrolled in less than 6 units will receive the award once enrolled in 6 units or more
- Students accepted into the program at SDSU must enroll in 6 units or more at SDSU
- Successful completion of Chem 170
- Students currently enrolled in Chem 170 must successfully complete the class with a "C" or better
- Suggested grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 or higher
- Students with a lower GPA are strongly encouraged to apply and describe the barriers they have encountered in the personal statement
- A valid FAFSA is required
- Scholarship funds will be determined by financial need as based on their FASFA application.
- Students are enrolled as Chemistry/Biochemistry majors or a related STEM field
Current SWC MP scholars are participating in cutting-edge research! Here is what they have been working on:
- Sandra Alayo
- 2023 NovoMedix Summer Internship
- Victoria Beiza
- 2023 Summer Research: SDSU MESA Program
- Ameko Birdsall
- 2023 Summer Research: SDSU MESA Program
- Samuel Cardona
- 2023 Summer Research: SDSU MESA Program
- Oliver Casillas
- 2022 NASA/California Space Grant Consortium Program Participant
- 2021 NCAS (NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars) Participant
- Kassandra Garcia
- 2023 NIWC Pacific (Naval Information Warfare Center) Internship
- 2022 NREIP (Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program) Internship
- Sandra Gil
- 2023 Summer Research: SDSU STEM Pathways Program
- Mary Grace Gorman
- 2023 NovoMedix Summer Internship
- Jared Guerrero Moreno
- 2023 Scout Space Internship
- Abril Hernandez
- 2023 USD REU Participant
- Multidisciplinary Chemistry Research: Empowering Scientists to Improve Society
- 2022 UCSD/Birch Aquarium Intern
- 2023 USD REU Participant
- Clara Lopez-Ruiz
- 2023 University of Miami SURF REU Participant
- Daniel Medina
- 2021 ULMSP (UCSD University Link Medical Science Program) Participant
- Johnny Patino
- 2023 Tesla Tech Trainee Program Participant
- Amber Rivera-Munoz
- 2020 NSF SCENE (Southeast Coalition for Engagement and Exchange in Nanotechnology Education) Participant
- Fernanda Siordia
- 2023 University of Oregon REU Particpant
- Isaac Torres
- 2023 Summer Research: SDSU STEM Pathways Program
- Dr. Kevin Hovel, Marine Ecology
- 2023 Summer Research: SDSU STEM Pathways Program
- Miguel Torres
- 2023 South Dakota State University REU Participant
- Plant Microbiomes
- 2022 UCSD Advanced Materials Research Experience for Undergraduates Participant
- 2023 South Dakota State University REU Participant
- Jesus Vega
- 2022 NASA L'Space Academies
- Proposal Writing and Evaluation Experience Academy
- Mission Concept Academy
- 2022 NCAS (NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars) Participant
- Lead Scientist of Team 29
- 2022 NASA L'Space Academies
- Barbara Zazueta
- 2022 NSF SCENE (Southeast Coalition for Engagement and Exchange in Nanotechnology Education) Participant
- Sandra Alayo
Congratulations to our transfers!
- Transferred to SDSU
- Transferred and Graduated from SDSU
- Sophia Alvarado-Hernandez
- Participated in the MP program at SDSU
- Researched possible treatment for SARS-CoV-2 in the Purse lab
- Participated in the MP program at SDSU
- Esteban Mora
- Participated in the MP program at SDSU
- Researched fluorescent probes used to observe molecules of DNA/RNA in the Purse lab
- Participated in the MP program at SDSU
- Sophia Alvarado-Hernandez
- Transferred into SDSU Graduate Program
- Errys Frondarina
- PhD Student, Chemistry
- Continued Mentored Pathways Program at SDSU
- 2022 San Diego Nanotechnology Infrastructure REU Participant
- 2021 University of Wisconsin-Madison REU Participant
- 2021 Scripps Research Community Symposium Poster Contest Presenter
- 2021 Scripps Research Symposium People's Choice Poster Winner
- Winning poster: Circadian Rhythms and Chrononutrition
- PhD Student, Chemistry
- Kyara Gandara
- Master's Program, Engineering
- 2023 Summer Research: SDSU STEM Pathways Program
- 2022 NASA/California Space Grant Consortium Program Participant
- 2022 STARS (SDSU Training Astronomy Research Scholars) Participant
- 2021 NCAS (NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars) Participant
- 2021 NCAS Engineering Design Workshop Winner (Group: Marshall Space Flight Center)
- 2021 NCAS Engineering Design Workshop Employee of the Week
- Errys Frondarina
- Transferred into SDSU Undergraduate Program, Mentored Pathways Participant
- Julian Aldana
- 2022 Southwestern College research with Prof. Gonzalez, San Diego Coastkeeper, and
the Groundwork organization.
- Researched "Water Quality Monitoring in Chollas Creek Watershed"
- 2021 NCAS (NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars) Participant
- 2020 NSF SCENE (Southeast Coalition for Engagement and Exchange in Nanotechnology Education) Participant
- 2020 NSF SCENE Technical Poster Competition Winner
- Winning Poster: Gold Nanoparticles and Impedance Sensing for COVID-19 Biosensors
- 2022 Southwestern College research with Prof. Gonzalez, San Diego Coastkeeper, and
the Groundwork organization.
- Brandon Gonzalez
- 2022 Southwestern College research with Prof. Gonzalez, San Diego Coastkeeper, and
the Groundwork organization.
- Researched "Water Quality Monitoring in Chollas Creek Watershed"
- 2022 Southwestern College research with Prof. Gonzalez, San Diego Coastkeeper, and
the Groundwork organization.
- Dulce Gonzalez
- 2020/2021: Researched small molecules for the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in the Bergdahl lab
- 2019/2020: Carbon Quantum Dots Research at SWC
- Jessica Lang
- 2021+: Researching small molecules for the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in the Bergdahl lab
- Valeria Lora
- 2021+: Researching fluorescent probes used to observe molecules of DNA/RNA in the Purse lab
- 2021 NSF SCENE (Southeast Coalition for Engagement and Exchange in Nanotechnology Education) Participant
- Michael Massey
- Angelo Quimen
- Pedro Ramirez
- Kayla Rasmussen
- 2020/2021: Researched small molecules for the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in the Bergdahl lab
- Kevin Rubalcaba
- Pamela Rubio
- Christina Vialva
- Active member of the ALRISE committee
- ALRISE: A network of faculty, staff, administrators, and students at 2-yr and 4-yr Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) to accelerate Latinx representation in STEM
- 2022 SDNI (San Diego Nanotechnology Infrastructure) REU participant
- Researched the use of optics, acoustics, & nanotechnology to improve human health in the Jokerst lab
- 2022 Scripps-GEO (Scripps Institution of Oceanography - Geosciences Education and
Opportunities) Scholars Program Participant
- Researched "Impacts of Aerosolization of Ocean Contaminants on Air Quality: Oceans and Human Health” in the Prather Lab
- 2021 University of Wisconsin Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology REU Participant
- Active member of the ALRISE committee
- Julian Aldana
- Transferred into SDSU Undergraduate Program, non-Mentored Pathways
- James Allison
- 2023 Summer Research with Dr. Sam Kassenge at SDSU
- Evelyn Barouch
- Ana Diaz-Dominguez
- Marco Durazo
- Marsala Enloe
- Jayvree-Michael Gonzales
- Jonathan Guerrero
- 2023 Summer Research: SDSU STEM Pathways Program
- 2022 NASA/California Space Grant Consortium Program Participant
- Matthew Herrera
- Adam Hubbard
- 2023 NIWC Pacific (Naval Information Warfare Center) Internship
- Jesus Lopez
- 2023 Summer Research: SDSU MESA Program
- Oscar Lopez Vazquez
- 2023 SDSU NextGen REU Participant
- 2021 NCAS (NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars) Participant
- Cristian Medina
- Anita Nguyen
- Hector Oropeza
- 2023 Summer Research: SDSU MESA Program
- 2022 NASA/California Space Grant Consortium Program Participant
- Donovan Orozco
- 2022 NASA/California Space Grant Consortium Program Participant
- 2022 NCAS (NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars) Participant
- Richard Ryan
- 2023 Summer Research with Dr. Weber at SDSU
- AJ Straight
- 2022 NASA/California Space Grant Consortium Program Participant
- James Allison
- Transferred to other CSUs
- Rosie Farnham
- Transferred to Cal Poly Pomona
- Louise Grego
- Transferred to Cal Poly Pomona
- 2022 NASA/California Space Grant Consortium Program Participant
- 2021-2022 Intern at StratEdge - working in a clean room as a Engineering Tech
- Edward Leon
- Transferred to CSU Monterey Bay
- 2023 NREIP (Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program) Internship
- Lyzzett Lozano
- Transferred to Cal Poly Pomona
- 2023 Summer Research: SDSU MESA Program
- 2023 University of Notre Dame SMASH Engineering REU Participant
- 2022 Forest Bioproducts Research Institute at the University of Maine REU Participant
- One of two students selected to continue the research at the University of Concepción in Chile
- Rosie Farnham
- Transferred to UCSD
- Amanda Esquivel
- Moises Gonzalez
- 2022 NREIP (Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program) Participant
- Leeza Gutierrez
- 2021 University of Washington REU Participant
- Jadalynn Halol
- 2022 CMSP (California Medicine Scholars Program) Participant
- Melanie Jimenez
- 2023 ULMSP (UCSD University Link Medical Science Program) Participant
- Roxana Nevarez
- Arlene Pozon
- 2021 ULMSP (UCSD University Link Medical Science Program) Participant
- 2021 UW ENDURE Participant
- Clark Rodriguez
- Adriana Siordia
- 2021 Worcester Polytechnic Institute REU participant
- 2020 University of Oregon REU Virtual Internship
- 2019/2020: Carbon Quantum Dots Research at SWC
- Samantha Warda
- 2023 ULMSP (UCSD University Link Medical Science Program) Participant
- 2023 CMSP (California Medicine Scholars Program) Participant
- 2023 Scripps Mercy Hospital Internship
- Franz Villanueva
- 2021 LIPP Foundation Scholarship for Biology
- Transferred to other UCs
- Mara Alonso
- Transferred to UC Berkeley
- 2021 Texas A&M REU Participant
- 2020 NCAS (NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars) Participant
- 2020 UCSB REU Participant
- 2021 SWC Student of Distinction Award
- 2020 San Diego American Chemical Society National Chemistry Week Video Contest - First
Place
- Winning submission: Intro to adhesives - StickyChemistry
- Ulises Benitez
- Transferred to UC Santa Cruz
- Ana Diaz-Santos
- Transferred to UC Irvine
- 2023 Summer Research: SDSU MESA Program
- Maryam Khan
- Transferred to UCLA
- Lizeth Lopeth-Vazquez
- Transferred to UCI
- 2021 Internship with Johnson and Johnson
- Researched ALK drug resistance (ALK is an enzyme that is a key contributor to specific forms of lung cancer)
- 2020 NSF SCENE (Southeast Coalition for Engagement and Exchange in Nanotechnology Education) Participant
- 2019 University of Pennsylvania REU participant
- 2018 UCSD REU participant
- Arnoldo Olguin-Flores
- Transferred to UC Berkeley
- 2021 NSF SCENE (Southeast Coalition for Engagement and Exchange in Nanotechnology Education) Participant
- 2021 NCAS (NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars) Participant
- Nicole Slade
- Transferred to UCLA
- 2021 Cornell University REU participant
- 2020 SWC Student of Distinction Award
- Fall 2020: ALK Lung Cancer Remote Research at SWC
- 2019/2020: Carbon Quantum Dots Research at SWC
- Mara Alonso
- Transferred to other schools
- Doaa Alsagri
- Transferred to University of Michigan
- Lucero Griego
- Transferred to Hawaii Pacific University
- 2023 SDSU Disturbance Hydrology Lab REU Participant
- Doaa Alsagri
- Transferred and Graduated from SDSU
- Transferred to SDSU
Apply for the the STEM Pathways Program here!
More SWC scholarships are available via SWC's Application Portal.
Engineering students should also apply to the EMPOWERs Program
Hear From Our Scholars!
Many students have already benefited from this program! Click here to listen as they receive thier scholarship awards.
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Please contact us with any questions!