The first Central Valley Math & Science Alliance (CVMSA) meeting of the school year kicked off on Thursday, Sept. 20 in the south dining hall, on campus. Food and drinks were served while new relationships were built.
CVMSA is a group that helps mentor students majoring in biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, or physics. In order to participate, you must be a declared major, be a first generation or low income college student and not be graduating until Spring 2013 or later.
          
Some of the many benefits of CVMSA are personal one on one mentoring from a member of faculty in math and science, inside track to undergraduate research, opportunities to attend  conferences with all expenses paid, Academic Excellence Workshops, and of course, “The Commons.”
          
The Commons is available to all science and math majors even if you are not participating in the CVMSA. It is fully staffed with faculty and senior science, technology, math, engineering  students (STEM). The Commons is located in Naraghi Hall of Science, in room 124. The Commons are open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
          
The $5.5 million, five year grant that was received by California State University, Stanislaus was used to connect students to mentors and get real life advice about careers plans, jobs, graduate school, and classes on a personal level that you would not necessarily get in a classroom setting.
          
From the classroom to the lab it can often be intimidating for students to seek advice from their professors. This mentor program helps take down the wall and open up a forum for free communication.
“I hope to influence and help them with their futures; it is not like the classroom setting and gives them a chance to open up since many of them are shy in class while the research setting is more casual,” said Dr. Lu Rose Zhang, Professor of Physics.
If you would like to participate in the CVMSA you can go online and fill out the form at http://cvmsa.wufoo.com/forms/cvmsa/. There is only a few day turnaround time for applicants. Also if you have any questions related to your application, you may also contact CJ Chaney in N160 or email [email protected].