Choose Ohio First STEMM Grant
Scholarship and Program Application – Academic Year 2017-18
Eligibility Requirements
For consideration in this program, an applicant must be a student at Cuyahoga Community College and
meet each of the following criteria:
• An Ohio resident with the current legal status to remain permanently in the United States.
• Freshman status as of August 15, 2017 (fewer than 30 total college-level credits earned).
• Cumulative 3.00 grade point average (GPA) or higher on a 4.00 GPA scale.
• Enrolled in at least 6 credits of college-level (1000-level or higher) classes relevant to the student’s
academic plan for degree attainment during each semester of participation.
• Declared major in a specific science, technology, engineering, mathematics or medical/health
career (STEMM) discipline. Questions about eligible majors may be directed to Mr. Herbert Mausser,
(216) 987-4660 or [email protected].
• Available to attend and participate in Choose Ohio First activities (see Page 2 for activity options).
Application
Interested students must complete, sign and submit this Application, including:
• college transcript (unofficial transcript is acceptable). Students entering Tri-C for the first time in Fall
2017 must submit applicable high school and/or transfer transcripts;
• a personal statement (see Page 4 of this application);
• one letter of endorsement from a college or high school instructor, preferably in a STEMM discipline
(see Page 5 of this application);
• a statement of commitment from a Tri-C STEMM faculty member agreeing to serve as your Choose
Ohio First mentor (see Page 6 of this application). Students entering Tri-C for the first time in Fall
2017 may omit this part of the application.
If chosen as a scholarship finalist, the student may be asked to participate in a formal interview as part of
the selection process. Failure to participate may be grounds for rejecting the application.
To submit the completed application or for more information about the Choose Ohio First program,
contact the program coordinator at one of these locations:
Eastern Campus
Mr. Bassem Al-Kaimari
Associate Professor of Biology
ESS 232-B
[email protected]
Western Campus
Dr. Geza Varhegyi
Assistant Professor of Biology
WHCS 107
[email protected]
Westshore Campus
Mr. Robert Searson
Dean of Learning & Engagement
Room 226D
[email protected]
Metropolitan Campus
Dr. Pamela Ellison
Associate Dean of Business and Math
MBA 223
[email protected]
Metropolitan Campus / College Pathway
Programs
Mr. Kenneth Hale
Director of Access and Community Engagement Early College & Outreach Programs
MLA 301B
[email protected]
Page 1 of 6
Choose Ohio First Program Participation/Activity Options
Choose Ohio First Program activities are designed to help you develop as a STEMM student and improve
your chances to complete a baccalaureate degree in a STEMM discipline. You must complete at least two
(2) Fall semester options and at least two (2) year-long options. Examples of options are shown below –
your actual options will be determined in consultation with your faculty mentor and/or program
coordinator. Your continued eligibility for the Choose Ohio First scholarship will depend in part on the
timely and successful completion of your chosen options.
Fall Semester Option Examples:
• Select and meet with a Choose Ohio First mentor at least twice
• Attend at least two Choose Ohio First meetings at your campus
• Attend a Scientific Library Research Workshop at your campus
• Successfully complete a STEMM course related to your graduation requirements
• Successfully complete an Honors Math course at Tri-C
• Complete a shadowing experience (minimum 8 hours) in a research, clinical or professional
environment
• Attend a STEMM-related meeting or conference related to your field of study
Year-Long Option Examples:
• Meet with a Choose Ohio First mentor at least four times
• Attend at least five Choose Ohio First meetings at your campus
• Attend at least two STEMM meetings or conferences related to your field of study
• Successfully complete the Introduction to Research Methods course at Tri-C or another research
techniques course or workshop approved by your Choose Ohio First mentor
• Produce a STEMM-related poster on a year-long research or shadowing activity (guided by your
Choose Ohio First mentor)
• Attend and present a STEMM-related poster at the Student Success Symposium at Tri-C
• Attend and present a STEMM-related poster at a conference approved by your Choose Ohio First
mentor
• Prepare and present a Choose Ohio First portfolio, with appropriate work/course/conference material
included, to your Choose Ohio First mentor
Depending on Ohio Department of Higher Education guidelines and scholarship fund availability, you
may be allowed to enter the Choose Ohio First Program in the Spring semester. If you do, you must
complete at least two (2) options during the Spring semester. If you then continue in the Program, you
are required to complete the Fall Semester and Year-Long options as described above.
Page 2 of 6
Choose Ohio First STEMM Grant
Scholarship and Program Application
Name:
First ____________________ Middle ________________ Last ___________________________
Contact Information:
Street ____________________________________________________________________________
City________________________________________________ State______ Zip________________
Birth Date____________________ Tri-C Student ID No.
S ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
E-mail Address_____________________________________________________________________
Daytime Telephone (_______) _____________________________
Current Student Status:
□ Full-time (12 or more credits)
□ Part-time (less than 12 credits)
Anticipated Graduation Month/Year ____________________________
Current Major _______________________________________________
I certify that the information provided is accurate. The Cuyahoga Community College Foundation
or authorized representative may use the information I have provided to support its mission and
the information may be shared with Program Representatives.
Signature_______________________________________
Date___________________________
[Unsigned applications will not be accepted]
Page 3 of 6
Choose Ohio First STEMM Grant
Scholarship and Program Application
STUDENT’S PERSONAL STATEMENT
Student name (print) ________________________________________ Date:____________________
The purpose of this personal statement is to tell us why you want to participate in the Choose Ohio First
program and what you wish to accomplish during this experience. Areas to address: (1) What do you hope
to gain from participating in the program; (2) why have you chosen your particular major; and (3) how
might the Choose Ohio First experience and scholarship help you in your field of study or future career?
Write your essay in the space provided below or attach a separate sheet.
Page 4 of 6
Choose Ohio First STEMM Grant
Scholarship and Program Application
FACULTY ENDORSEMENT
Student name (print) ______________________________________________________________
The above-named student is applying for the Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program at Cuyahoga
Community College. Please provide your endorsement of the student in the space provided below or
attach a separate letter.
Return this endorsement to the student for inclusion with his/her application.
Printed name _____________________________________________
Signature ________________________________________________
Title/Department ___________________________________________________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________________________
Email address: _____________________________________________________________________
Telephone no. (________)____________________________
Date__________________________
Please comment on why this student is deserving of a Choose Ohio First scholarship:
Page 5 of 6
Choose Ohio First STEMM Grant
Scholarship and Program Application
FACULTY STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT
Student name (print) _________________________________________________________________
The above-named student is applying for the Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program (“the Program”) at
Cuyahoga Community College. I agree to mentor this student (“my mentee”) during his/her participation
in the Program, including development, monitoring and reporting of my mentee’s required
participation/activity options. If I choose to leave my role as faculty mentor, I agree to immediately
notify my mentee and the Assistant Dean – Honors & Experiential Learning Programs of my decision. I
acknowledge that faculty mentoring is a critical component of the Program, and failure on my part to
actively mentor my mentee may affect my mentee’s eligibility for Program scholarship awards.
Return this endorsement to the student for inclusion with his/her application.
Printed name ______________________________________________________________________
Signature _________________________________________________________________________
Title/Department ___________________________________________________________________
Campus/Location ___________________________________________________________________
Email address: _____________________________________________________________________
Telephone no. (________)____________________________
Page 6 of 6
Date__________________________