EIU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The iSTEM Program at EIU

What is iSTEM?

Inclusion in STEM! iSTEM brings together students from underrepresented groups in the STEM disciplines and faculty committed to encouraging and empowering these students. Our iSTEM group includes those in the sciences, social sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics and computer science fields. Faculty serve as mentors, and the group meets regularly for networking as well as social and professional engagement opportunities. 

 

Contact

Email us

 

 

Resources

Request a faculty mentor -- Read our mentorship guidelines.

Peer mentors -- Some of our amazing peer mentors for 2021-2022:

Job and research opportunities

Professional development resources for students

 

Upcoming iSTEM Events

Join us again in Fall 2022!

 

2021-2022 iSTEM Advisory Committee

Alejandra Alvarado - Mathematics and Computer Science

Michael Beck - Chemistry and Biochemistry

Gary Bulla - Biological Sciences

Tom Canam - Biological Sciences

Mona Davenport - Executive Director of Minority Affairs

Kirstin Duffin - Booth Library (Co-Director)

Eden Effert-Fanta - Biological Sciences

Katherine Lewandowski - Geology and Geography

Kortney Lucius - Undergraduate student representative

Eloy Martinez - Biological Sciences

Andrew Mertz - Mathematics and Computer Science

Tiffany Pellizzeri - Chemistry and Biochemistry

Vernon Woodley - Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology (Co-Director)

 

Events team: Michael Beck, Gary Bulla, Tom Canam, Andrew Mertz

Promotions team:

Recruitment team: Mona Davenport, Eden Effert-Fanta

 

Recent Past Events

Urban Butterfly Initiative volunteer workday - Sunday, April 3, 2022, 1:00–2:00 p.m.

Milkweed Demonstration Garden behind the Coles County Health Building in Charleston (https://goo.gl/maps/iWVzEVKwptSBJdXBA)

 

Black Men in White Coats watch party - Sunday, February 20, 2022

Doudna Fine Arts Center

Pizza: 1:30-2 pm in the Black Box Theatre

Film & discussion: 2-4 pm in the Dvorak Concert Hall

 

Internship Experiences and Opportunities - Tuesday, October 26, 2021, 5:30–7:00 p.m.

Location - Life Sciences Building Room 2080

Panelists:  
• Anthony Porreca, Ph.D - Assistant Director, Kaskaskia Biological Station Illinois Natural History Survey and EIU MS grad   
• Rhonda Rogers -Technology Major – Completed an internship in SU21 and is an iSTEM mentor  
• Robert  Schuch - University Student Program Coordinator who comprehensively facilitates the development and implementation of the undergraduate programs at Argonne National Laboratories. https://www.anl.gov/education/undergraduate-internship-opportunities
• Nikhil Arun - Computer Science Major – Completed an internship in SU21
• Cara N. Brown - Technical Recruiter, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory

 

Welcome picnic - Thursday, September 23, 2021, 5:00 p.m.

Learn about iSTEM, our events and mentoring opportunities

O'Brien Picnic Pavilion on Grant Street

 

Picture a Scientist panel discussion - Tuesday, March 30, 2021, 5:00 p.m.

Watch the film here.

Join our discussion of the 2020 film Picture a Scientist that examines gender inequality and discrimination in the sciences. We are pleased to host three panelists: Dr. Ana Chicas-Mosier (Postdoctoral Fellow at Auburn University), Dr. Katie Lewandowski (Professor at EIU’s Department of Geology and Geography), and Ms. Lizeth Tamayo (Ph.D. candidate at the University of Chicago). Panelist bios.

Dr. Tiffany Pellizzeri (Instructor at EIU’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry) will moderate the panel.

 

STEM Careers and Internships - Thursday, February 4, 2021, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Zoom meeting, with panelists:

• Amanda Bos - Roche - Marketing and sales in diagnostics and pharma
  • Internship opportunities:
    • https://www.linkedin.com/posts/aishariya_virtual-internship-roche-activity-6712426853971431425-SMdS
    • https://www.roche.com/careers/jobs/jobsearch.htm
• Jill Grimme - Roche - EIU CHM alum, Biochemist, Clinical operations for diagnostics
• Darren Conrad - North American Lighting Corp - EIU TEC alum, Manager of Industrial Engineering
  • Internship opportunities:  https://www.nal.com/internship-program/
• Mallory Stenslik - Merck - EIU BIO alum, Senior Scientist, Discovery and development of novel PET imaging biomarkers.
  • Internship opportunities:  https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/student-opportunities
• Jodie  Warner - Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital - EIU CLS alum, Laboratory Director

 

Success in STEM - Thursday, November 12, 2020, 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Mentoring opportunities & event planning

via Zoom

 

Welcome social - Thursday, January 23, 2020, 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Mentoring opportunities & event planning for the semester

Booth Library Edgar Room 3202

 

Board Game Night - Thursday, October 24, 2019, 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Snacks provided!

Cultural Center, 1525 7th Street (across from Old Main)

 

Discovering Purpose and Value - Thursday, October 17, 2019, 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Presented by Emmanuel Ayiku, Graduate Assistant, Student Success Center, Department of Counseling & Student Development

Booth Library Witters Conference Room 4440

 

Guided nature walk - Saturday, September 28, 2019, 11:00 a.m - noon.

Douglas-Hart Nature Center, 2204 DeWitt Ave. East in Mattoon.

 

Tree & Shrub Day - Wednesday, September 25, 2019, 4:00-7:00 p.m.

FREE fried chicken dinner at 5:15 p.m. or roast hot dogs on the campfire.

Events include:

     - EIU Herpetology Club with live animals

     - Coles County Bat Research table

     - Bird watching

     - Self-guided tree and shrub trail

Douglas-Hart Nature Center, 2204 DeWitt Ave. East in Mattoon.

 

Student Planning Meeting - Thursday, September 19, 2019, 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Booth Library Witters Conference Room 4440

 

Welcome Reception - Thursday, September 5, 2019, 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Booth Library Edgar Room 3202