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Pass Area 8th-Grade Girls Explore STEM careers at MSJC

1/17/2023

Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) hosted hundreds of eighth graders from Banning and Beaumont middle schools to the San Jacinto Campus on Jan. 11 for an early introduction to STEM careers. The youths learned from women in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields at a STEM conference hosted by the Redlands branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).  

Joyce Johnson, MSJC Vice President, Career Education, Counseling, Nursing, and Allied Health, welcomed the middle school girls from the San Gorgonio Pass area. 

For more than two decades, the AAUW Redlands branch has hosted this inspiring conference to actively engage, influence, and motivate eighth-grade girls to succeed in school and pursue careers in STEM fields.  

MSJC is excited to welcome these and other STEM students when the 56,863-square-foot STEM building currently under construction on the San Jacinto Campus opens in the 2024-2025 academic year. The $39-million project is funded by the Measure AA facilities bond and funds from the state's Prop. 51. 

The exciting day-long event kicked off with a keynote address from motivational speaker Amber Jazairi, documentary filmmaker and motivational speaker, who encouraged participants to set goals and find ways and work hard to achieve them.  

AAUW gathered professional women from various science, technology, engineering, and math fields to participate by sharing their experiences and the opportunities available to girls interested in STEM careers.

Participants attended sessions, including WHAT and WHAT, and explored different career paths and areas of study in the STEM fields. The conference instills confidence in students through activities, networking, and collaboration with their peers.   

MSJC’s STEM pathway is designed to create opportunities for students to become more informed about science-related careers. Programs help students succeed and prepare them for transfer and careers in STEM fields of study.   

AAUW STEM keynote speaker Amber JazairiAmber Jazairi, motivational speaker and documentary filmmaker, gives a keynote address to hundreds of eighth-grade girls during the annual AAUW STEM event at Mt. San Jacinto College on Jan. 11, 2024.

Amber Jazairi with middle school students at the 2024 AAUW STEM event

Amber Jazairi,  motivational speaker and documentary filmmaker, speaks with a small group of eighth-grade girls during the annual AAUW STEM event at Mt. San Jacinto College on Jan. 11, 2024. At least 300 girls from Banning and Beaumont middle schools attended the event.

Redlands Police Department team members at the 2024 AAUW STEM event

A team from the Redlands Police Department discuss careers in forensics with eighth-grade girls during the annual AAUW STEM event at Mt. San Jacinto College on Jan. 11, 2024. At least 300 girls from Banning and Beaumont middle schools attended the event.

MSJC VP Joyce Johnson

Joyce Johnson, Vice President of Career Education, Counseling, Nursing, and Allied Health at MSJC, welcomes eighth-grade girls to the annual AAUW STEM Conference