Skip to main content
Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology

STEM Ambassadors at Illinois State University logo

 

Who are STEM Ambassadors?

The STEM Ambassadors were hired as first-year STEM majors. They conduct mentored research and support their peers in finding early success as STEM students.

To this point, the STEM Ambassadors have launched the ISU Answers student-to-student help platform, presented research on student–faculty connections to faculty at the University Teaching and Learning Symposium, and supported the School of Biological Sciences by capturing student perspectives on potential course revisions. Each of these projects is described below.

The STEM Ambassadors continue to direct their own activities with the support of CeMaST staff. They hope to create a legacy for the program as they mentor a new STEM Ambassador cohort in 2026.

ISU Answers

As a part of their research on helping their peers find early success as STEM students, the STEM Ambassadors often heard that students weren’t aware of the resources that are available to them on campus or that students new to campus had trouble navigating campus processes. As a result, the STEM Ambassadors created ISU Answers, a student-to-student help platform where students can ask questions about topics such as academics, finances, and student life at ISU. This platform is now part of the Help.IllinoisState.edu website. Students can submit a question, and a STEM Ambassador will research and answer their question through an email reply. Often, a generalized version of that question will then be posted on the website to help other students. There are more than 100 previously answered questions available to students on the website.

Student–Faculty Connections

Another common theme in the STEM Ambassadors’ early interviews was feeling out of place in large, introductory classes. Between a review of current literature and a survey conducted with both ISU students and faculty, the STEM Ambassadors compiled suggestions for faculty and students to enrich their connections with one another.

Supporting Student Success in BSC 196/197

As a continuation of the work related to large, introductory classes, the STEM Ambassadors conducted surveys, student focus groups, and faculty interviews to advise the School of Biological Sciences as they integrate student success components into BSC 196/197. Based on the experiences of current BSC students and faculty who teach similar courses in other departments, the STEM Ambassadors were able to make a series of recommendations to the School of Biological Sciences.

STEM Ambassadors in the News