COSAM’s Stewart Schneller reflects on enthusiastic leadership, remarkable moments and monumental impact throughout Summer Bridge Program’s 25-year history

This year’s 25^th anniversary of the Summer Bridge Program marks a time to celebrate its impact on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in COSAM. 

Stewart Schneller, who came to Auburn in 1994 to serve as dean of COSAM, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and associate director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, remembers those initial efforts that built the foundation for COSAM’s ongoing focus on diversity. An instrumental figure in supporting both the establishment of Summer Bridge and Overtoun Jenda’s leadership of the program, Schneller recalls fond memories of the program and offers his perspective of its success throughout 25 years.

“When I came here as dean in the mid-90s and met with colleagues, we discussed what were some of the things we needed to do to enhance COSAM’s identity—one of those was diversity,” said Schneller.

Trailblazer in the emerging Geoscience Education Research field, McNeal receives Transformation Award

Karen McNeal, the Molette Endowed Professor in the Department of Geosciences, is the recipient of a prestigious Transformation Award from the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT) Geoscience Research Education division.

“This award is a validation of the research my team and I work diligently on to further the field of geosciences,” said McNeal. “I am proud that I can make a difference and help shape the future for new faculty and students at Auburn University.”

McNeal chose a non-traditional path while earning her doctorate degree. She wanted to pursue to discipline education research, or DBER. Her research tackles teaching and learning challenges in geoscience education with a goal to improve the undergraduate classroom experience, as well as improving the communication of science more broadly.

Catching up with Yasmine Hall: How the Dauphin Island Sea Lab undergraduate research experience bolstered her research, lab and presentation skills

This past spring, Yasmine Hall, a sophomore majoring in microbiology with a pre-vet concentration, learned of her acceptance into the 2022 Dauphin Island Sea Lab Research Experience for Undergraduates Program, or DISL REU.

In a May 2022 COSAM Today article, Hall shared information about the DISL REU program and discussed her academic goals for the experience as she planned for an enriching summer.

Following her DISL REU experience, Hall shared key takeaways as a program participant—gaining practical knowledge in research, lab and presentation skills while experiencing a summer of a lifetime. 

Head of the class: Auburn Brain Camp provides practical experience, invaluable guidance for promising high school students

For a group of nearly 20 promising high school students interested in pursuing futures in neuroscience and medical fields, the Auburn University Brain Camp, or AUBC, was an experience they won’t soon forget.

Nineteen accomplished high school students from throughout Alabama and across the nation gathered at Auburn University July 17-22 for a one-of-a-kind immersive experience that left a lasting impression. Whether it was scanning their own brains, performing laboratory dissections, visiting Canine Performance Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine or experiencing a visit from the Southeastern Raptor Center, AUBC students were treated to a variety of experiences, activities and informative sessions that gave them a glimpse of what their futures may look like as college students and working professionals.

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COSAM Today is published by COSAM's Office of Communications and Marketing. Questions? Send an email to mcg0052@auburn.edu.