Donation to Support STEM Scholarships and Model United Nations

(Orange)—The Santiago Canyon College (SCC) Foundation has received a $25,000 donation from Edison International. Fifteen thousand dollars of this charitable gift will support scholarships for students enrolled in the college’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs and $10,000 will sponsor SCC’s Model United Nations Program (MUN).

“We appreciate our ongoing partnership with Edison International,” said Juan Vázquez, SCC president. “Edison’s continued generosity enables our STEM programs to provide additional scholarships to help our students achieve their dreams through the study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We are also grateful for Edison’s support of our Model United National Program helping students work on solutions to global problems.”

SCC’s award-winning MUN Program, which was forced to go dark due to state budget cuts, will resume operations in spring 2014. MUN programs provide a diverse group of college/university students and faculty from all over the world a forum for addressing global concerns in a real world context. Conferences address vital issues including regional conflicts, peacekeeping, human rights, women and children, economic and social development, and the environment. The students research and write position papers explaining global problems and propose an international solution. At regional and national conferences, SCC students compete with students from other colleges and universities. Through debate, compromise is achieved that lead to mutually beneficial solutions. The Edison grant will help defray the cost of student travel and conference participation.

“Education is a key funding priority for Edison International,” said Tammy Tumbling, director of Philanthropy and Community Investment at Southern California Edison. “Since 2009, Edison International has given almost $45 million to education programs that help students excel in STEM.  Our philosophy of giving is that all people should have opportunities to do well.  Together, Edison International and Santiago Canyon College Foundation hope to promote the inclusion of minority, low-income and underrepresented students in STEM fields.”

Edison International’s support of charitable causes is entirely funded by shareholders.  Southern California Edison customers do not pay for donations in their utility bills.

SCC is addressing the shortage of STEM majors through several grant-funded initiatives including:

• The Title V Hispanic-Serving Institution grant focuses on increasing student success in STEM majors.  Currently in its fourth year of funding, this grant has provided funding to establish and staff a Science Teaching and Resource (STAR) Center offering activities to engage science students and enhance their success and Supplemental Instruction, an academic assistance program designed to help students in historically difficult STEM-related gatekeeper courses with scheduled peer-facilitated study sessions. Title V also funds a dedicated STEM counselor and supplements the funding for instructional assistants in the Math Study Hall (MaSH) where students receive individual assistance with math homework and encouragement and support. As of fall 2013, 1,765 SCC students have declared a STEM major.
• SCC is one of three community colleges partnered with California State University, Fullerton, on a Title III grant, “Strengthening Transfer Education & Matriculation in STEM,” a multifaceted project designed to encourage STEM degrees, retain students in STEM fields, produce more community college STEM transfers to four-year institutions and, ultimately, increase the number of Hispanic/Latino and low-income students attaining baccalaureates.
• The federal TRIO grant, Upward Bound Math & Science program, is designed to strengthen the mathematics and science skills of participating high school students from Orange and El Modena High School. The goal of the program is to help students recognize and develop their potential to excel in mathematics and science and to encourage them to pursue postsecondary degrees in math and science, and ultimately careers in the math and science profession.

For more information about the SCC Foundation, contact John Hernandez at (714) 628-4886.

About Santiago Canyon College
Santiago Canyon College is a public community college of Rancho Santiago Community College District, serving the residents of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Tustin and Villa Park. The college provides education for academic transfer and careers, courses for personal and professional development, and customized training for business and industry.