I’m a Junior majoring in General Science with Teaching here at Temple. This is my second year in this program and I currently serve as a STEM Challenge Fellow Captain for the 25-26 school year.

I wanted to become a STEM Leadership Fellow Captain because I’m passionate about both STEM and education, and I saw this as a chance to grow as a leader while. supporting other Fellows in making an impact. As someone preparing for a career in teaching, I value opportunities to mentor others, collaborate with faculty, and help create engaging learning experiences for students. Once I became a peer leader for CST, I knew this is another step I can take for more leadership experience to help me better prepare for my future.

My favorite thing about the SLF Program is how it empowers students to be leaders in the classroom. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a community that’s committed to improving STEM education through active learning, collaboration, and peer support. It’s also a great way to develop real-world teaching and leadership skills. 

Being part of the STEM Leadership Fellows Program has allowed me to contribute by creating a more supportive and student-centered learning environment. Through my role, I’ve helped make STEM feel more approachable and engaging for students, especially in collaborative and hands-on settings. More importantly, this program is the reason I discovered my passion for teaching. It gave me the opportunity to step into a leadership role, connect with students on a meaningful level, and realize how impactful teaching can be. That experience has shaped my future career goals and solidified my commitment to education.

Class, Year, Major: Class of 2026, Senior, Biochemistry 

During my time in the inaugural cohort of the SLF program I greatly enjoyed the feeling of being able to contribute more actively to the STEM community at Temple. I wanted to become a captain to expand this impact and serve as a touchstone for new SLF's as they navigate their participation in the program to ensure their work positively impacts their Temple experience. 

My favorite thing about the SLF program has been expanding my network through working with a variety of instructors and students. I have learned how to cultivate effective partnerships with individuals of varying personalities, demographics, and disciplines to effectively communicate. This in turn has allowed me to form lasting connections with fellow peers and my instructors, providing a larger STEM community for me! 

In this role, I feel as though I have made a significant contribution to the STEM community at Temple by improving the ability for student success in the Introduction to Organismal Biology labs. Since this lab typically serves as part of a course that first-year biology major students take, I think that my presence and encouragement within the lab served to alleviate student stress and promote student success. This role also allowed for students to seek me out for advice on how to navigate college and the courses that they are enrolled in. 

Class of 2026, Senior, Genomic Medicine

I was among the first group of fellows when the SLF program started a couple years back. When I returned home from Temple Rome and noticed there was a position to help develop engagement strategies for STEM students abroad, I immediately applied. The program has continued to grow since I was first a fellow and I wanted to be more involved in its success and
help it thrive. By becoming a Captain, I get to do just that.

I love being able to get another perspective on CST and observe the inner workings of the administration. The program intuitively builds upon your professional and leadership skills and you can see the effects of your contributions—what works and what doesn’t—in an approachable
environment.

The program has allowed me to become a bridge between the STEM community and the administration. I address some of the dissonance between the two bodies in terms of resources available and outreach when it comes to STEM students studying abroad and get to engage with students directly to maintain an accurate consensus.

Class of 2026, Computer Science Senior, Administrative Captain 

I’ve been a STEM Leadership Fellow since the first year of the program, and from the very beginning, I was able to see the value that this program provided to the CST Community. Thus, when the opportunity presented itself to become a Captain and assist with the continued growth and development of the program, I was more than happy to take on the responsibility.  

My favorite thing about the STEM Leadership Fellows Program is the opportunity it provides to help others and give back to the CST Community while also gaining leadership experience. This program provides crucial development for core leadership skills that I believe are invaluable in the real world. 

As Administrative Captain, I am able to help the program run as smoothly as possible, which provides some ease to the other fellows so that they may focus on helping fellow CST students in areas of difficulty. This effort ensures that fellows can do the best their best to build strong relationships with their peers, foster a strong community in CST, and provide a helping hand to the students who need it. 

Class - 2027, Year- Junior, Major- Data Science, and SLF Placement – Elements of Data Science Captain. 

I wanted to become a STEM Leadership Fellow Captain because I genuinely enjoy helping other students succeed in STEM. Being a captain gives me the chance to guide peers, share advice, and create a supportive space where everyone feels encouraged to explore their interests. It’s also a way for me to grow as a leader while giving back to the community that’s helped me along the way. 

What I love most about the STEM Leadership Fellows Program is the sense of community it creates. It’s awesome to work with other students who are just as excited about STEM as I am and to learn from each other in a supportive environment. I also enjoy the chance to build leadership skills that I know will help me in the future. 

The program has given me the chance to give back by mentoring younger students and helping them find their way in STEM at Temple. I’ve also been able to help organize events and workshops that make STEM more fun and accessible. It feels really rewarding to know I’m helping other students get excited about STEM and supporting the community here.