B2B Calendar of Events 2019-2020

The Bridges 2 Baccalaureate program is a three year, $1.5 million NSF grant to help ensure successful transfer of underrepresented minority students in STEM majors from a two-year degree to a four-year Bachelor of Science degree.

This is an opportunity for you to receive help navigating the path from new college student to successful graduate and beyond.

*Events listed will be held in CH174 from 12:30PM-1:30PM unless noted differently

FALL SEMESTER 2019

September 5, 2019 – Meet & Greet Pizza Party: Get started right!
(Please rsvp to bayers@ccm.edu, so we have enough pizza)
This is an opportunity for you to hear about summer research from one of this year’s summer research scholars and learn about our peer mentor program! Sign up to be a mentee by September 30th and earn a $50 stipend upon completion! Only 18 spots available! Apply to be matched with a Cross Campus Peer Mentor at one of our 4-year GS-LSAMP partner schools. You will meet and maintain a relationship with a current student who can answer many of your questions regarding transfer and life at a 4-year university. Lastly, discover how to use Blackboard (including our new B2B course shell!) and the Tutoring Center effectively.
Complete the Cross-Campus Peer Mentee (CCPM) Application to be matched with a mentor!

*September 19, 2019 – CH174 – 4:00PM-5:00PM Joceline Fuentes-Maya, CCM alumna will share her transfer, summer research and peer mentor experiences to help you with your journey to a STEM degree.
Helpful transfer information from a 2018 CCM graduate who has made the successful jump to Rutgers-Newark. Joceline will also share information about the NJSGC (New Jersey Space Grant Consortium) fellowship she completed this summer as part of the GS-LSAMP program and her Peer Mentor experience with two CCM B2B students during the spring of 2019. Sign up to be a mentee by September 30th and have the opportunity to earn a $50 stipend! Only 18 spots available!

September 19, 2019 CH 174 12:30PM-1:30PM and 4:00PM-5:00PM Peer Mentee Training
Cross-Campus Peer Mentoring (CCPM) Training. We have two times available. You must complete the application, Cross-Campus Peer Mentee (CCPM) Application attend one of the trainings and attend the Research Conference at Rutgers New Brunswick (see below) on October 11th. If you are not available for either training options, please complete the application and we will make other arrangements for training.

October 3, 2019: Study Skills Workshop: Learn how best to study for your STEM courses and learn about our SySTEMic Challenge Opportunity!

Proper study habits are essential for academic success. Even students who had good study habits in high school often find they are not prepared for the fast pace of college courses and the independent nature of homework and assignments. Strengthening study skills will build confidence, help you work more efficiently and improve performance.

Last year we had a team of six students who participated in the SySTEMic Challenge to be presented on Transfer Day at Rutgers. Unfortunately, we were snowed out, but we have the opportunity again to get a team or two together to represent CCM at the SySTEMic Challenge on February 7, 2020! This event will give B2B and LSAMP student teams the opportunity to propose a solution to a societal STEM problem that confronts us all. Each team should be comprised of 5 to 7 individuals. One topic currently being considered a challenge is based on our over-reliance on and careless disposal of plastics and the problems that these plastics are causing to human health and to the environment. Stay tuned and look for updates!

*October 11, 2019 – 8:00AM – 3:00PM – 11Th Annual GS-LSAMP/NNJ-B2B STEM Research Conference, Rutgers New Brunswick
The day will begin with breakfast and a keynote address followed by poster sessions, lunch, grad school talk, transfer and graduate admissions fairs, poster awards and closing remarks.
Bus transportation will be provided to/from CCM. The bus will leave parking lot 8 (by the gym) at 7:00am and return at 4:00pm. This is a free, mandatory event for all B2B members. Mentees will meet their mentors at the conference too!
Three forms must be completed to confirm your attendance:
• CCM Registration Form
• Hold Harmless Agreement (select B2B STEM Research Conference under select your trip)
• Rutgers Registration Form

October 17, 2019 –Applying for Scholarships & How to Make the Most of Your Advising Session
Katie Olsen, Executive Director of the CCM Foundation will share information about the application process and opportunities available to you! Spring term applications are open from October 1st to October 22nd, and Fall term applications are open from April 1st to May 31st.

Professor Birrer will explain the importance of meeting with an advisor and how to prepare to get the most out of your advising session.

October 31, 2019: Preparing For Summer Research Opportunities
It is time to start thinking about summer research opportunities! Many REUs (research experience for undergraduates) become available over winter break with deadlines as early as January! Learn how to find summer research opportunities, how to apply, and how and why to seek references ahead of time. Revisit your resume and cover letter (or create new ones) to match the research positions of interest.
Happy Halloween! Enjoy Halloween treats too!

November 14, 2019 – Create a Basic Resume And Cover Letter During This Workshop!
Learn how to craft your resume, and cover letter along with email etiquette! Prepare to put your best self forward! During this session, you will leave with a completed resume and cover letter. Already have both? There is always room for improvement! Rosemary Grant of Career Services will guide you through the process.

December 5, 2019: Fall Wrap-Up Cookie Party!
Review our fall semester activities including information from students about their CCM research experience with Dr. Isaza in the Biology and Chemistry Department. We would also like to hear about what else you would like to see the B2B Program offer to help you succeed!

SPRING SEMESTER 2020

January 23, 2020: Kick Off A Successful New Year With Time Management and Blackboard Review.
Learn how to balance friends, family and work, so you have enough time for homework and studying. With strong time management skills, you can organize, prioritize, and succeed academically. Create a schedule you can stick to!

*February 7, 2020: You Got This! Rutgers-Newark, 8:00AM-3:00PM (may end earlier, depends on how many sySTEMic challenge teams present)
The event includes:
• Breakfast
• Keynote address on the sySTEMic topic: Plastics in the Environment
• sySTEMic challenge presentations (teams will present their 5 minute innovative solution to address any aspect of the problem of plastics in the environment, from macroplastics to micorplastics to plastic chemicals, with the help of a faculty member.
• Students will be able to talk with faculty about summer research and/or REUs
• Students will meet with their CCPM mentors
• Students will get advice on customizing their resumes for STEM. Plan to bring your resume with you
• Bus transportation will be provided to/from CCM. The bus will leave parking lot 8 (by the gym) at 7:00am and return at 4:00pm.

February 20, 2020: Career Opportunities in STEM: Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
Most students have seen a family doctor, dentist or pet’s veterinarian and think those are the only careers related to a Biology degree. Engineers, computer scientists and mathematicians play important roles in our daily lives, but do you know how? There are so many career opportunities in STEM; find out which one is right for you!

March 5, 2020: Create your LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is a professional site for you to present who you are to prospective employers. It’s not too early to create an account, update your profile or add your resume. Start making connections now! https://university.linkedin.com/linkedin-for-students
Continue to have your resume and cover letters proofread for potential summer positions.

March 26, 2020: Advisement and Planning for Summer and Fall 2020
Thinking of taking a summer course to catch up? Find out what to expect to be successful in these fast-paced courses. Make plans to meet with your advisor to be sure you are on the right track to complete your degree. Find out why the most successful students register early!

April 9, 2020: Poster and Abstract Presentation Workshop
Now that you have a summer research position, find out how to write your abstract and prepare the poster you will present at next year’s research conference. This is helpful for lab report writing as well.

April 23, 2020: Year End Wrap-Up and Summer Send-Off
Review spring semester activities, congratulate new summer research scholars, and present the Award for Student Participation in B2B.

June/July: ALEKS PPL Math Boot Camp
Spread the word to your friends who are graduating high school and planning to attend CCM about how B2B can help them succeed!

Spring Semester – 2021

12Th Annual GS-LSAMP/NNJ-B2B STEM Research Conference, Rutgers New Brunswick

Note – Information on how to attend the conference will be coming soon.