ECC, North Central Partner to Support Future STEM Teachers

Elgin Community College (ECC) has partnered with North Central College to expand scholarship and transfer opportunities for students pursuing careers as secondary education STEM teachers.

Through the partnership, ECC students interested in teaching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) can transfer to North Central College and participate in the CREATE program, a National Science Foundation Noyce-funded initiative designed to recruit and support future educators. 

CREATE (Commitment to Recruit, Educate, and Assist Teachers in Excellence) provides scholarships, mentoring, and professional development opportunities for students who pursue a double major in secondary education and a STEM field.

“Through Elgin Community College’s partnership with North Central College, the CREATE program provides students interested in STEM secondary education with a direct transfer pathway, along with resources and scholarship opportunities to support their journey to becoming educators,” said Tracy Vittone, director of transfer services at ECC.

Eligible students may pursue a double major in secondary education and a STEM field such as biology, chemistry, environmental science, mathematics, or physics.

The CREATE program offers scholarships that can cover up to the full cost of attendance, helping reduce out-of-pocket expenses for students preparing to enter the teaching profession.

“The best thing about the CREATE grant at North Central is that we help students follow their passion for science and education and become the best teachers they can be,” said Dr. Chandreyee Mitra, director of environmental studies, science, and business at North Central. “Happily, we do this by decreasing the financial burden of a college education for students and by providing active mentoring through their time as scholars and after, including on how to be resilient and take care of their own wellbeing (along with that of their future students).”

In addition to financial support, participants receive individualized mentoring from faculty members and experienced educators. The program also includes an orientation experience, cohort meetings, summer research opportunities, and continued mentoring and induction support after graduation.

The partnership helps create a clear pathway for ECC students interested in becoming STEM educators while addressing the growing demand for qualified teachers in STEM fields. 

ABOUT CREATE

A scholarship program for North Central junior and senior students double-majoring in Secondary Education and STEM. The scholarship ranges up to the full cost of attendance to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

The program includes individual mentoring by faculty and a North Central graduate in the teaching field, an orientation program, cohort meetings, summer research funding, and continued mentoring and induction support after graduation.

ELIGIBILITY

Create scholars must meet the following criteria:

• Major in both Secondary Education and STEM (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Math, or Physics)
  • North Central does not offer secondary certification in technology or engineering
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher, with a GPA in Secondary Education of 3.0 or higher
• GPA in their content area of 2.5 or higher
• Have junior or senior standing (60+ transferable credits required)