Com-STEM, the Community-based Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) educational initiative at McNeese State University, Louisiana State University at Eunice and Lamar State College-Orange offers your students the educational opportunity to hone their creative abilities, scientific skills, and academic preparedness for professional engagement with the global community.  Com-STEM is a faculty and student-driven program envisioned by dedicated science faculty members for all current and rising college students with an inclination for scientific exploration. 

First and foremost, Com-STEM wants to attract and retain students into STEM disciplines and, ultimately, into STEM careers.  As you well know, STEM careers offer exciting programs and excellent opportunities for the advancement of science and technology.  In Southwest Louisiana and East Texas, STEM careers are essential to furthering local and regional economic development and sustainability.  The Com-STEM program at McNeese State University (or other partner institution) emphasizes academic engagement and support for students through:

	Personal contacts with professional scientists and academicians,
	Individual academic monitoring by Com-STEM faculty members,
	Pre-professional and career counseling,

	Mentoring by: Excelling upper-level undergraduates in STEM disciplines and University faculty members engaged in scientific research and academic pursuits, and
	An Academic Excellence Reward program that rewards students financially based on their engagement in academically meaningful activities (e.g., maintaining a high grade point average, attendance at professional seminars and undergraduate research).

The Com-STEM initiative emphasizes student-teacher engagement, and you – the high school teacher – are a valuable player in this initiative.  This initiative relies on your support.  Com-STEM seeks to foster positive relationships between secondary classroom teachers and the Com-STEM partner institutions.  

 As you encourage your students into educational programs beyond high school, please remember the Com-STEM educational initiative and the positive impact it will have on our region.  Louis Pasteur once said “Chance favors the prepared mind.”  You play a significant part in that preparation process.

 Please feel free to contact the Com-STEM Program Coordinator, Mrs. Elizabeth Stevenson [phone (337) 475-5663 or email: comstem@mcneese.edu] or a Com-STEM faculty representative in your area if you have any questions about the Com-STEM Education Initiative.  Please encourage your students also to contact Ms. Stevenson if they show an interest in Com-STEM.  Meetings with Com-STEM faculty members at any of the three partner institutions can be arranged to discuss their specific STEM discipline of choice. 

Associate and Baccalaureate STEM degree programs including more information specific to two and four-year degree programs are listed under Academic Programs. 

 The Com-STEM leaders thank you and look forward to working with you as we work together to encourage, nurture and support your students as they explore for themselves the exciting and diverse STEM opportunities that lie before them.