2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

BOARD # 366: Empowering Student Success in Emerging Technologies through S-STEM Scholarships, Mentorship, and Workforce Development

Presented at NSF Grantees Poster Session II

The Rebooting through EmTech Programs (REP) project addresses the critical shortage of skilled professionals in emerging technology (EmTech) fields by focusing on increasing STEM degree completion among low-income and underrepresented students, particularly in high-demand areas like data analytics, cybersecurity, and information systems technology. The College, a large, diverse, Hispanic-Serving Institution, is well-positioned to lead this initiative, particularly as EmTech job opportunities in Miami-Dade County continue to grow faster than the national average. Funded by the National Science Foundation’s S-STEM program, REP provides two-year scholarships to 60 full-time students who have earned associate degrees and are now pursuing EmTech bachelor’s degrees.

In this poster, we highlight the key high-impact extracurricular activities that support REP scholars and present findings on the program’s impact, including improved student retention, confidence, and community building. Through these efforts, the REP project aims to serve as a scalable model for advancing workforce readiness and degree completion among underrepresented groups, addressing the STEM shortage and promoting sustainable access to careers in emerging technologies.

Authors

Dr. Elodie Billionniere http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5363-4048 Miami Dade College [biography]

Dr. Billionniere is a Professor in the School of Engineering and Technology at Miami Dade College (MDC). Over the past four years, she has helped secure more than $4 million in funding, which has been instrumental in developing innovative educational programs and a high-tech learning hub aimed at empowering underrepresented communities and addressing evolving workforce demands.

Her teaching, leadership, and mentorship have garnered significant recognition, including the 2021-2023 Northern Trust Bank of Florida Endowed Teaching Chair, the 2023 American Association of Community Colleges' Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Recognition Award, and the 2019 Women of Color in STEM College-Level Promotion of Education Award.
Anthony Torres Miami Dade College [biography]

Tony Torres is an Enrollment Specialist for the NSF-funded Rebooting Through EmTech Program (REP) at Miami Dade College. He coordinates the implementation of program activities, with a particular focus on community building, student workforce development and financial literacy training. He holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education from Florida Gulf Coast University.

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