Jeremy Jurgens

Cal Poly Pomona Learn Through Discovery Initiative

BECAUSE I’M A CSU STEM VISTA…

I had the opportunity to step into the kind of work I never knew I always wanted to do.

Through this program I have realized my passion for developing and running programs in higher education. It has shown me how I can work toward equity, building programs that serve all students. It has shown me how I can work to develop means of access for students to fulfill their own potential, to help their fellow students and the broader community and to lift up and support every person that steps through our campus’ halls.

My Favorite Part of CSU STEM VISTA...

Having a group of people committed to making a difference in breaking down race, class and gender barriers in higher education.

As one unit we can collaborate and support each other in fulfilling our mission. Our team is full of creative, brilliant and passionate people, dedicated to what they are doing. We all believe in this fight, and we all have the motivation to see it through. It is inspiring to me to have such a strong group of diverse individuals I know are working toward the same goals.

My Typical Work Day

A typical day in the office is spent updating our teams’ profiles, creating profiles for new teams, improving our application forms, updating our handbook and creating materials to help guide students through the projects process.

I spend most of my days meeting with students about their projects, I offer advice, clarify procedures and policies or help them find resources. I am constantly looking for networking opportunities on campus to help spread the word about my program. Some days are spent taking photos for our marketing database, developing new promotional materials and writing student spotlight profiles or updates for our newsletter.

The Best Part About My Campus

I remember in the first couple of weeks seeing a little race car driving around on campus. I came to learn that the car was built by students in the College of Engineering.

I learned that the Collings College of Hospitality has a student-run restaurant. I learned about the campus farm store and the Innovation Village’s brewery (they have pretty good pizza too). The more I learned about the campus, the more I saw just how deeply “learn by doing” is enmeshed into the campus culture. Cal Poly Pomona epitomizes this philosophy and shares it with the entire community.

Why I Serve with CSU STEM VISTA

I wanted to take the things I learned in my classes about inequality, and I wanted to do something.

When I completed my Bachelors, I wanted to do more than go to school and be a researcher. I wanted to be, and inspire, change. My sister had done AmeriCorps VISTA before, and suggested that I look there. When I went online to apply, CSU STEM VISTA was one of the first postings I saw, and I knew that was the program I wanted to do. I wanted to tackle inequality, and I wanted to do it in higher education.

One Moment That Stands Out

One of the students in my program grew up in a community surrounded by gun violence, so he decided to make a documentary in an effort to curb the violence and save lives.

There are a lot of young people with innovative ideas who just need a little help turning those ideas into reality. I have a team of women working toward ensuring food equity for Pomona residents. Every one of these projects has inspired me. It has made me hopeful for the future, and has solidified my passion for being someone who can help them realize their goals.

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