Pima-UAZ STEM Bridge

Evidence of Success

The University of Arizona STEM Bridge Program is a transformative initiative supporting academically talented, low-income students transferring from Pima Community College to pursue STEM degrees. Backed by the National Science Foundation, the program has served 95 students across three cohorts since 2020, with an impressive 91% of participants persisting or completing their STEM bachelor's degree—far exceeding the national average of 1 in 10 community college students achieving this milestone. Students receive up to $5,000 per semester, academic guidance, research opportunities, and culturally responsive mentorship, including support from both Pima and University of Arizona faculty mentors. Testimonials from participants highlight the program's life-changing impact, with one student crediting STEM Bridge for helping them consider graduate school and another sharing how the program enabled them to overcome challenges as a nontraditional student with a family. Learn more about the program’s success and how you can contribute to its continuation by visiting the program page.

AZ HSI Evidence-Based Practice

Logo for the AZ HSI Consortium featuring stylized blue mountains with a yellow sun rising behind them and a cactus on the right. Below the mountains, the text reads “AZ HSI Consortium” with “Evidence Based Practice” in a blue box underneath.

The PIMA-UAZ STEM Bridge program is pleased to announce its recognition as a highly successful evidence-based practice by the AZ HSI Consortium. We were selected as an example of “what works for Arizona HSIs!” The AZ HSI Consortium intentionally supports conditions necessary to facilitate successful college access, persistence, retention, transfer, and degree attainment for Latinx students in Arizona, particularly by highlighting evidence-based practices that produce positive student outcomes with special attention to culturally affirming and validating educational environments. The STEM Bridge Project has shown strengths in empowering our scholars’ STEM identity and success in STEM majors through: creating inclusive STEM communities through culturally responsive faculty and peer mentors; engaging scholars in undergraduate research opportunities; and providing a carefully cultivated set of academic, social, and administrative/procedural support services This has led to a high transfer rate of 98% and a strong three-year persistence rate of 87%, compared to only 57% of Pima Community College STEM transfer students from low-income households who transfer to the University of Arizona. This has contributed to increased rates of Pima Community College students transferring into, persisting in, and completing STEM majors at the University of Arizona.

Learn more about AZ HSI Consortium event-based practices

What Our Scholars Are Saying About Pima-UAZ STEM Bridge

  • “Tight community with students who are highly motivated, pursuing same career paths”
  • “Definitely peer mentoring”. It helped me a lot over the year, and I do appreciate it so much.”
  • “Lab shadowing/research shadowing.”
  • “The unique classes were integral to my success in STEM as I transferred; I was really lost and overwhelmed by the university and they helped put me on track and give me a lot of guidance going forward.”
  • “Everybody here is highly motivated to change their lives and pursue a STEM career.”
  • “One unique program element is the bringing together of community college transfer students that are specializing in a STEM field. Other resources on campus are great, but it was nice to be a part of a group of students that share the same experience of transitioning from a small college to a large university campus. Getting accustomed to the classes was difficult my first year, but it was comforting knowing that my ASEMS classmates were struggling as well and felt the same. I guess it’s the sense of community that makes ASEMS special and is not found in other campus programs.

Our Majors

The Pima-UAZ STEM Bridge program is composed of scholars from a diverse set of STEM majors. Our scholars represent over 35 majors within the following fields: Biological Science, Physical Science, Mathematical Science, Computer and Information Science, Geoscience, and Engineering. You can view the specific majors within each field below.

Learn more about the Pima-UAZ STEM Bridge program for students.
Learn more about the Pima-UAZ STEM Bridge program for faculty mentors.

Graphic with a pale background featuring a stylized leaf and The University of Arizona logo. In the center, the text reads "Biological Science – Pima UAZ STEM Bridge." Surrounding the title are related fields: Biochemistry, Animal Sciences, Sustainable Plant, Neuroscience & Cognitive Science, Plant Sciences, Nutritional Sciences, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Microbiology, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, and Biology.
Graphic with a pale computer monitor background and The University of Arizona logo. Center text reads "Computer & Information Science – Pima UAZ STEM Bridge." Related fields include: Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Information Science & Technology, and Data Science.
Gear-themed background with The University of Arizona logo. Center text reads "Engineering – Pima UAZ STEM Bridge." Around it are fields such as Aerospace, Biomedical, Systems & Industrial, Optical Science, Mining, Mechanical, Materials Science, Environmental, Engineering Management, Electrical, Computer, Civil, Chemical, and Biosystems Engineering.

 

Earth-themed background with The University of Arizona logo. Center text reads "Geoscience – Pima UAZ STEM Bridge." Related fields include Hydrology & Atmospheric Sciences, Natural Resources, Geosciences, and Environmental Sciences.
Graphic with a pale calculator icon background and The University of Arizona logo. Center text reads "Mathematical Science – Pima UAZ STEM Bridge." No additional fields are listed.
Graphic with a pale test tube rack in the background and The University of Arizona logo. Center text reads "Physical Science – Pima UAZ STEM Bridge." Fields listed above the title are Astronomy, Chemistry, and Physics.

Learn About Our Pima-UAZ STEM Bridge Peer Mentors

Student Staff in ASEMS have extensive opportunities to develop and enhance the following skills and qualities:

  • Verbal/Written communication
  • Leadership
  • Collaborative Work
  • Event planning
  • Record keeping and documentation
  • Networking Facilitation
  • Assisting in teaching classes

Peer Mentors commit 10-12 hours per week to ASEMS activities. They hold one-on-one biweekly meetings with an assigned group of program participants to provide guidance to program participants of similar or related fields as they transition into the University of Arizona and as they explore career options and opportunities in their STEM field(s). Our Peer Mentors attend staff trainings, they carry oneself as a role model with behavior, language, and attitude.