Students In Action: Scholars Present Research at S-STEM Conference

Computer science posters showcased.

In September, four York College S-STEM recipients attended the 2023-S-STEM Scholars meeting in Washington, D.C. The S-STEM Scholarship at York College is a grant-funded program sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) that awards scholarships to academically talented students majoring in computer science, chemistry, math or physics.

(From left to right) Dr. Eleanor Sayre, NSF Program Director; Chanael Decembre; Jonathan Shields; Terrence Coggins; Julian Feliciano; and Dr. Thitima Srivatanakul, Assistant Professor of Math and Computer Science Department and Principle Investigator of the S-STEM Scholarship Program at York.

Two of the York Scholars also presented their posters at the meeting. Chanael Decembre, a senior majoring in computer science, presented 'Wishful Identification Towards Influencers and its Effects on Consumerism Amongst Young Adults.' Jonathan Shields, also a senior majoring in computer science, presented 'Analyzing optimization techniques to improve time complexity for recursive algorithms.'

Senior Terrence Coggins, majoring in computer science, and junior Julian Feliciano, majoring in chemistry, joined Chanael and Jonathan and all four seized the opportunity to participate in conference’s robust program. The experience made an impression.

It was a remarkable experience. Though the conference was only three days, it was packed with unforgettable moments that underscore the dedication of the NSF committee to expanding educational opportunities, said Jonathan.

Chanael reflected,"I enjoyed receiving guidance and attention from numerous STEM professionals. It felt like being part of a vast professional network of people eager to collaborate. I've never experienced such independence before."

Julian appreciated meeting fellow students: "Making connections with other students was fantastic. We traveled around DC together, exchanging contact information for future opportunities."

Terrence shared, "I got the impression that the organizers appreciate the attendees and set out to encourage and guide us scholars along each of our own unique journeys in our academic careers and lives in general... and also, to let us have a lot of fun. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy myself, but I also walked away from the meeting more confident, and that some of the inspiration followed me back to York."

Learn more about the scholarship!