Center for Promoting STEM (CP-STEM)

With a significant grant from the National Science Foundation, Oakton's Center for Promoting STEM (CP-STEM) offers diverse activities including a summer "bridge" program; peer tutor training; student-industry-teacher simulations; study sessions; seminars; and field trips. The New York Times recently cited Oakton among the top-ten community colleges in the nation and called attention to CP-STEM. In addition, the Peer Tutor Training and Student-Industry-Teacher Simulations programs captured the Innovation Award from the Illinois Council of Community College Administrators in 2003 and 2005 respectively.

Success Stories

Yolanda Dionicio (Spring 2009 - Spring 2010, STEM Mentoring Program and APEX Scholar) is pursing a major in aerospace engineering at UIUC.

Amin Baqui (Fall 2007 - Spring 2009, STEM Mentoring Program and Spring 2009 APEX Scholar) is pursuing a double major in general engineering and business at UIUC.

Arslan Wali Ahmed (Fall 2007 and Spring 2008, STEM Mentoring Program) earned a bachelor's degree with distinction from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in December 2010. He is also listed on UIUC's Bronze Tablet, the highest award granted to undergraduates for academic excellence.

Ali Azeem (Spring 2008, STEM Mentoring Program) earned a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in May 2011. He will be working for Exelon Nuclear.