The third cohort of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Students Achieving Results in Science (STEM STARS) program entered college already connected to the campus.
This grouping of the program, whose mission is to increase the number of students from underrepresented groups who pursue and earn PhDs and MD-PhDs in STEM disciplines, distinguished themselves from prior classes in the eyes of program executive director Dr. Tiara Cornelius.
“The first thing that stood out to me wasn’t really tied to their academics, it was more so tied to legacy,” said Cornelius, a 2007 UMES graduate. “Many of the students in this cohort either had one parent or both parents or grandparents who attended the University.”
The program, which had its first cohort arrive at UMES in the summer of 2023, was made possible through a $2.5 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s (HHMI) Driving Change Initiative Award. In that time, the program enrolled 29 students in various STEM majors, with two members of its first cohort graduating within three years.
As part of their experience, the STEM STARS students immerse themselves into research opportunities while receiving mentorship from members of previous cohorts. Previous opportunities by past cohort members have included presentations at global conferences and the ability to have their work go in space.
All members of the three cohorts, which are automatically enrolled into the Richard A. Henson Honors Program, were selected by Cornelius.
Among the students in the third cohort with familial ties to UMES is Carrington Rashaw, a sophomore exercise science major. Reshaw, whose parents not only graduated from UMES but also worked there, said it was never far from her mind.
“I actually grew up on campus and lived there until I was nine,” Rashaw said. “Seeing the tight-knit community in both UMES and Princess Anne, and the support I received on campus, I knew from an early age that I belonged at this school.”
Rashaw said being selected for the group put into perspective the importance of the program and the detailed process Cornelius goes through when choosing the members of the cohort.
“I initially didn’t realize how selective it was until I realized that nine other freshmen received this scholarship, which really impressed me,” Rashaw said. “Dr. Cornelius does a really good job of making sure that everyone in the cohort has the necessary organizational, time management and professional skills required, which I appreciated because it put me on the right track my freshman year.”
Another legacy member among the third cohort is sophomore Kylie Martin, a mathematics from Nokesville, Va. Martin’s connection to UMES was multi-pronged as both of her parents graduated from the institution, and her older brother Makai, is a member of the charter STEM STARS cohort.
“What really led me to the STEM STARS program was my brother hyping up Dr. Cornelius and the opportunities they had, and he really sold it to me,” she said. “She has been the backbone of the program through the support and guidance she’s given us.”
Martin said being in the program has helped elevate herself as a student.
“It gives you a sense of drive that is completely different from anything I’ve ever experienced before,” she said. “Being a STEM STAR allows you to hold yourself to a higher standard and every semester you have to meet that bar and continue to be academically forward.”
Cornelius said the addition of a fourth cohort is on hold in order to find additional funding that will replace the HHMI grant money once it expires.
“We want to make sure that before we take on any additional students we are able to help them financially during their time here at UMES,” she said. “Right now, our focus is making sure our first three groups finish their academic journeys.”
