Jersey City, N.J. – October 9, 2023 – Saint Peter’s University announced the appointment of Gregory Nasser as the director of the recently established Institute for STEM Experiential Learning. The Institute was developed through a $4.8 million STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) grant for Hispanic Serving Institutions from the U.S. Department of Education. The Institute for STEM Experiential Learning is designed to expand professional development opportunities for STEM undergraduate students.
In this role, Nasser serves as a corporate liaison, building relationships with STEM employers, organizations and agencies to offer internships, externships, fellowships, job shadowing, mentoring, research, volunteer and other experiential learning opportunities to Saint Peter’s students. Since taking on the position he has collaborated with faculty to integrate career-based learning activities into the STEM curriculum. He has also led the development of a digital badging/certificate program for STEM work-study, internship and research experiences. He is currently building out a STEM advisory board for the University.
“We are excited to have Gregory join the Saint Peter’s community as he will help us to continue to build the bridge for our talented STEM students from the classroom to the workforce,” said Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s University. “The University has already made tremendous progress in the enrollment of STEM majors, particularly in underrepresented groups, and we are grateful for the grant support that will enable us to focus on positive outcomes for these students after graduation.”
Prior to joining Saint Peter’s, Nasser served as the assistant director for Early College Programs at Montclair State University.
The $4.8 million grant used to establish the Institute was awarded to the University in September 2021 for a five-year project titled STEM-PODER (to be able to). The establishment of the Institute was one of five strategies set forth in the project. The additional objectives include the expansion of support in the STEM Engagement Center with wraparound services; upgrades to laboratories, classrooms and research facilities; significant faculty development opportunities and clear pathways for STEM transfer students from community colleges.
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For more than 150 years, Saint Peter’s University, inspired by its Jesuit, Catholic identity, commitment to individual attention and grounding in the liberal arts, educates a diverse community of learners in undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional programs to excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately and promote justice in our ever-changing urban and global environment. To learn more, please visit saintpeters.edu.
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