Office of Undergraduate Research

CSU Stem Vista

CSU STEM VISTA

The CSU STEM VISTA program is a one-year leadership development program for early-career and emerging professionals. VISTA members apply their skills, knowledge, and talents to improve STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education during their year of service. The position is a part of the AmeriCorps VISTA program, CSU STEM VISTA program, which focuses on eliminating race, class and gender-based inequities in STEM undergraduate degree programs. To learn more about the program, click here.

STEM VISTAs at Cal Poly Pomona

CSU STEM VISTA members currently operate out of the Office of Undergraduate Research under the supervision of Dr. Winny Dong and Dr. Ever Barraza. VISTA members work on a wide variety of tasks and projects. Projects can range from participating in marketing efforts to increase OUR program engagement in an inclusive manner, to improving mentoring processes via training practices, to gathering and analyzing student participation data for insight as to how programs can be more effective.

During the year-long term, VISTA members undergo a project that builds the capacity for programs to make equitable change. The nature of the project is dependent on the VISTA member’s role, goals, expectations, and interests. Contributions that STEM VISTA members have made to OUR programs have been extensive. Here are a few notable projects:

  • Creation of a faculty-learning community based on equity-centered practices via Canvas
  • An assortment of workshops designed to benefit students participating in OUR’s Projects Hatchery program
  • Planning and development of brochures that overviewed impacts that each OUR program had on students, by demographic

Additionally, VISTA members are encouraged to forge relationships within the other offices of Academic Innovation and beyond. Through collaboration and networking, many professional development opportunities can arise. Ultimately, taking initiative and being intentional with their experiences have led VISTA members to have a meaningful impact, grow professionally, and find personal success.

2022-2023 STEM VISTAs

2022 STEM Vistas