Reflections from the ACTION Director
by Dr. Daniel Brahier
Students have returned to campus after a long break that included the BGSU Winter Session during which some individuals had opportunities to take educational trips or additional coursework. This is always an exciting time of year as we spend the last semester with our seniors, while preparing a whole new group of freshmen to enter the program.
In the ACTION office, we are in the middle of processing applications, conducting interviews, and selecting the next group of scholars – Cohort 12 – who will join us with Summer Bridge in July. Final selection decisions for our next cohort will be made within a couple of weeks. I want to thank all scholars, alumni, faculty, parents, and friends of ACTION who have helped us to spread the good word and to recruit another outstanding cohort of freshmen.
I have some other exciting news: Last fall, ACTION was nominated for national recognition for its accomplishments. The Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) program is administered by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The program exists to recognize STEM-related programs and individuals around the country who are making significant contributions to mentoring students interested in careers related to the STEM fields. The role that ACTION has played for more than 10 years is making its mark and finally received a nomination on a national scale.
Over the break, we completed requested materials that included considerable documentation and multiple letters of recommendation and submitted the application in early-January. If ACTION is selected for this award, it would carry a cash prize for the program and an award ceremony at the White House in Washington DC. We know that relatively few receive the final award but are honored to have been nominated and considered for national recognition. This process has been one more example of the respect that ACTION has gained in the State of Ohio and beyond, and we are proud to be offering this unique opportunity to BGSU scholars. We will keep you posted on the results of this award application as we hear them.
Meanwhile, I want to wish all of our scholars, their families, and the faculty and administration the best as we begin another semester. Spring is just around the corner, and graduation day is less than four months away!
