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STEM-NET Conference

Supporting Diverse Students for the Future of STEM

The STEM-NET conference is a convening of STEM professionals throughout the California State University. It is designed to respond to CSU and state goals, identify actions including policy modifications and sharing of best practices, networking and growing sponsored program activities. The conference aims to broaden awareness of STEM-NET systemwide and how it catalyzes and facilitates collaborations across the universities. System and state goals include increasing STEM enrollment, eliminating equity gaps, increasing graduation rates, decreasing time to graduation, promoting and delivering equity and success for all, and responding to funding opportunities.

STEM-NET is excited to welcome you to the conference.

Event Location

Kellogg West Conference Center & Hotel
3801 W. Temple Ave.
Pomona, CA 91768
Hotel Floor Plan

Conference Registrant Check-In Information

Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM.
Location: Lower level, lobby area
Parking passes will not be required.
Wi-Fi Connection/Charging Outlets will be available at the center. Guests will have to enter their phone numbers to get an access code for connection. Charging stations are available throughout the center.
NOTE: If your laptop has a VPN installed by your university, please check with your IT team to make sure it can connect to the center’s Wi-Fi once you arrive.

If you have questions, please email Monica Alarcon, STEM-NET operations analyst.

Registration Deadline

TBA

Program Schedule

Wednesday, March 12th

Time
Session NameDescription
1:30 p.m.
Welcome and IntroductionsPresident Soraya M. Coley, Cal Poly Pomona​
Jeffrey D. Armstrong, President, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Frank A. Gomez, Executive Director, STEM-NET
Location: Auditorium Theatre
1:45 p.m.Speaker
Olukemi Sawyerr, AVP, Office of Academic Innovation
Cal Poly Pomona
A Moral Imperative: Transitioning Students into Meaningful Post-Graduation Experiences
Location: Auditorium Theatre
2:30-2:45 p.m.Break
2:45 p.m.- 5:30 p.m.
Concurrent SessionsEach Session will be held twice.
Attendees choose two of four to attend.
Session 1 2:45-4:00 p.m.
Break 4:00-4:15 p.m.


Session 2 4:15-5:30 p.m.
Break 5:30-5:45 p.m.




Session Details:

Teaching and Learning in the Age of Generative AI
Jorjeta Jetcheva, San Jose State
Location: Mountain Vista

Data for Improving Outcomes Part II
Heidi Riggio & Desdemona Cardoza, Cal State LA & CSU Chancellor’s Office
Location: Hillside 1 & 2

Assessment and Evaluation Design
Jessica Morales-Chicas & Heather Macias, Cal State LA & Cal State Long Beach
Location: Valley Vista

Investing Ourselves to Build Culturally Responsive Student Learning
Eliza Morris, CSUS
Location: Garden Vista
5:45-7:00 p.m.
DinnerLocation: Dining Room A, B, C
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Poster SessionLocation: Auditorium Theatre /Courtyard

Thursday, March 13th

Time
Session NameDescription
7:30 am- 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast
Location: Dining Room A, B, C
9:00 a.m.
Session 1 9:00-10:15 a.m.
Break 10:15-10:30 a.m.

Session 2 10:30-11:45 a.m.
Break 11:45 a.m.-11: 50 a.m.
Concurrent Breakout SessionsEach Session will be conducted twice.
Attendees choose two out of four to attend.

Session Details:

Facilitating Entering Mentoring
Winny Dong, Cal Poly Pomona
Location: Mountian Vista

Servingness in Practice
Yolanda Catano, CSU Chancellor’s Office
Location: Hillside 1 & 2

Cultivating Diverse Teams for Intentional Innovation and Impact
Leticia Marquez-Magana & Audrey Parangan-Smith, San Francisco State
Location: Valley Vista

Educational Technology and its Impact on Learning and Teaching
Mihaela Popescu & Sean Hauze, Cal State San Bernardino & San Diego State
Location: Garden Vista
11:50 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
Lunch – Faculty Fellows speakJane Kim (CSUSM), Olaseni Sode (CSULA), and Jorjeta Jetcheva (SJSU)​
Location: Dining Room A, B, C
1:15-1:30 p.m.Break
1:30 p.m.- 4:05 p.m.
Concurrent Networking Sessions
Session A 1:30-2:45 p.m.
Break 2:45-2:50 p.m.

Session B 2:50-4:05 p.m.
Break 4:05-4:10 p.m.

Note: There will be separate tables displaying topics for discussion during the networking sessions. Participants can choose a table to attend. Each table will choose a lead to take notes.

Topics:

  1. Funding Opportunities for NSF Projects/Proposals
  2. Funding Opportunities Involving HSI-STEM Projects/Proposals
  3. Recruitment and Retention of a Diverse Student Body
  4. Funding Opportunities to Support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  5. Funding Opportunities Focused on Addressing Intersectionality
  6. Discussions on Improving Student Success
  7. Funding Opportunities to Enhance STEM Pedagogy
  8. Culturally Responsive Teaching and Pedagogy
  9. Exploring Improving Gateway Courses
  10. Funding Opportunities focused on Belongingness
  11. Funding Opportunities for Integrating Emerging Technologies
  12. Exploring Effective ways to use ChatGPT
  13. Funding Opportunities for Ed. Dept. Projects/Proposals
4:10-5:20 p.m.Invent Together
Exposing our students to Intellectual Property concepts with The Inventor’s Patent Academy

Location: Auditorium Theatre
5:20-5:30 p.m.Break
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Dinner and Speaker
Dr. Diana Ramos
California Surgeon General
Location: Dining Room A, B, C

Friday, March 14th

Time
Session NameDescription
7:30-9:00 a.m.Breakfast – Closing remarks
Frank A. Gomez, STEM-NET Executive Director
Location: Dining: Room A, B, C
9:00-9:15 a.m.
Break
9:15 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Session 1 9:15-10:30 a.m.
Simultaneous Breakout SessionsEach Session will be conducted twice.
Attendees choose two out of four to attend.
10:00-10:45 a.m.
Break
Session 2 10:45 a.m.-noon

Session Details:

Educational Theories, Metaphors, and Terms
Dermot Donnelly-Hermosillo
Fresno State
Location: Mountain Vista

​Embedding Workforce Preparation in the Undergraduate Experience
Harold Stanislaw & Iqbal Atwal
Stanislaus State
Location: Hillside 1 & 2

Conference Ends

Nearest Airports

Ontario International Airport: 15.5 miles
John Wayne Airport: 31 miles

Hotel Options

Option 1:
Kellogg West Conference Center & Hotel
3801 W. Temple Ave.
Pomona, CA 91768
Nearest airport: Ontario International Airport
Distance from hotel to Kellogg West Conference Center & Hotel: The hotel and the conference center are at the same location.

Hotel Accommodations:
Dates: March 12, 2025 to March 14, 2025
Room Rates: $149 plus tax per night, single and doubles
Guests are responsible for making and paying for their hotel reservations. The rates will be available until Wednesday, February 26, 2025.
Reservations: Call Kellogg West directly at (909) 869-2222 and request a reservation for CSU STEM.

Option 2:
DoubleTree by Hilton Pomona
3101 W. Temple Ave.
Pomona, CA 91768
Nearest airport: Ontario International Airport
Distance from hotel to Kellogg West Conference Center & Hotel: 2 miles

Room Rates: $149.00 plus tax.
Guests are responsible for making and paying for their own reservations.
Reservations: Group name STEM-NET. The rates will be available until Wednesday, February 10, 2025.

Catering

The Kellogg Center will cater the event, with food options being that of the chef’s choice. Buffet style and a vegetarian option will be available. If you have other dietary restrictions and wish to bring your own food, the hotel can provide guests access to a refrigerator and a microwave. A refrigerator is in guest rooms or available at the front desk, sales office or kitchen. A microwave is available for guest use in the lobby. A Sprouts Farmers Market is nearby.

Poster Presentations

Each university is asked to bring one poster highlighting an example of its work. It may focus on STEM programs and outcomes, pedagogical and curricular activities, student success outcomes or related areas.
Poster size: 3 feet wide by 3.75 feet tall. Please stay within the size guidelines.