College of Saint Mary Hosts African-American Summer Academy

College of Saint Mary Hosts African-American Summer Academy

This past week, College of Saint Mary (CSM) hosted 26 tenth and eleventh grade African-American students for the 1st Annual African American Summer Academy (AASA) in Math and Science. The 2014 theme for this distinct, one-week residential opportunity was CSI @ CSM: Forensic Science & How You Fit In. Students took educational field trips, met with African-American community leaders and CSM alumnae, and participated in enriching events and exercises.

AASA’s goal is to encourage young, African-American girls to finish high school and attend college. This is a one-of-a-kind program in Omaha that provides a live-in college experience and helps these young women to feel more confident to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers.

Diane Proulx, director of the African-American Summer Academy, states, “College of Saint Mary’s African-American Summer Academy gives young women inspiration and an introduction to college academics. It’s CSM’s intention to make sure these students know that they’re talented, smart women who have the ability and skillset to attend college, and that an education will bring exciting possibilities for their future.”

Students from the following Omaha Metro high school participated in the Academy: Benson, Millard North, Marian, Burke, Central, Bellevue West, North High and Omaha Northwest.

College of Saint Mary, founded in Omaha in 1923, is the region's only Catholic college for women. With approximately 1,000 students, CSM is dedicated to the education of women in an environment that calls forth potential and fosters leadership.