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CLARION c i t r u s
We developed this program so we could help get [students] out into the world and really have intense experiences to learn a lot about themselves as a STEM majors.” -Marianne Smith, Ph.D.
c o l l e g e
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2015 | VOL XCI ISSUE 7 tccclarion.com f/ccclarion T@ccclarion
STEM Summer Research Experience project director
STUDENTS TO
SCIENTISTS
STEM majors get paid to put their knowledge to work on research projects BY MEGAN BENDER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MBENDER@CCCLARION.COM
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or science, technology, engineering and math majors at Citrus College, finding an opportunity to gain experience and earn a stipend may be only an application away. Project director Marianne Smith, Ph.D., provides STEM students with research opportunities in a real-world work environment through the Summer Research Experience program. “We developed this program so we could help get [STEM students] out into the world and really have intense experiences to learn a lot about themselves as a STEM majors,” Smith said. In summer 2014, Smith with the help of Alejandra Gonzalez, STEM coordinator, matched 50 students with organizations, programs and lab mentors that matched their long-term career goals.
Deadline for student elections draws near BY DENNIS CAMARGO II STAFF WRITER
DCAMARGO@CCCLARION.COM
The deadline to return applications for the Associated Students of Citrus College executive board for 2016 is Nov. 19, 2015. As of the press time, there have been five candidates to apply for various spots on the board. The candidates include Sean Cazares, Ian Rodrigues, Paul and Vanessa Salinas running for the position of senator and Rene Gutierrez running for vice president. “I would like to speak up on behalf of my fellow students,” said Salinas in her application. All the candidates in their applications expressed a similar sentiment. A candidate’s forum will be held on Nov. 23 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Campus Center Mall. The elections will be held Dec. 2 & 3 in the Campus Center West Wing from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Though it is not considered an internship, STEM students participating receive a stipend of $5,000 throughout the duration of the eight to 10 week programs. Three grants support the program: one a collaborative grant held by California State University Fullerton in a partnership with Citrus, and a grant at Chapman on which Citrus is the primary partner. Since its beginning in 2011, the number of students participating in the SRE program has grown. Smith and Alejandra Gonzalez, STEM coordinator, place students in labs that are conducting research related to the students’ interest. They offer labs in computer science, biology, chemistry, engineering, botany, mathematics, earth and space science, physics and environmental science. To qualify to participate, students must have successfully completed two STEM courses and also sign up for the STEM academy on the Citrus website. S E E S T EM • PAGE 5
STUDYING ON AN EMPTY STOMACH
Food insecurity is a scary reality for some higher education students BY MEGAN BENDER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MBENDER@CCCLARION.COM
The stigma surrounding food insecurity often makes it difficult to discover how many students are paying the price of choosing education over having enough money to eat. According to Feeding America, a non-profit organization of a nationwide network of food banks, an estimated that 49.3 percent of its clients in college must choose between educa-
tional expenses and food annually and 21 percent of these did so for a full year. For one Citrus College journalism student Dennis Camargo II, this is a reality. Camargo had to make this tough decision when he decided to apply for classes for spring 2015. “I had make to the decision whether or not to struggle with buying food for a semester so I could potentially get a job with my education, or make sure I have enough food to eat but lose out on education,” he said. There are resources like food banks in the Citrus community available to help those who cannot afford to eat. The Foothill Unity Center,
“I think food security for students is an issue that is becoming more noticeable”
-Raina Martinez
Foothill Unity Center director of development and donor relations
based out of Monrovia and Pasadena, is a non-profit community support organization that distributes food and provides services to very low-income families and individuals. FUC services 11 cities in the area including Azusa, Baldwin Park, Monrovia and Duarte. FUC provides service to any one who lives in their service area and meets the income S E E F OOD • PAGE 5
nfl player speaks to students Brian Banks kicks off the inaugural “Speaker Series” in the Haugh Performing Arts Center. PG. 7