2015 College of Saint Mary Graduate Breaking STEM Stereotypes

Omaha, Neb. – Growing up, some things really stick with you. For Sineah Young, it was someone telling her that African Americans just didn’t get into science, engineering, technology and math (STEM) related jobs. It’s just that kind of thing that Young wants to prove wrong.

Young, who holds a bachelors in biology, will graduate on Dec. 19 with a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree from College of Saint Mary.

As a student at Omaha’s Northwest High School, Young thought she would enter into a STEM-related career. Those jobs hold great financial promise for women, who earn 30 percent more in a STEM-related job than other fields.

“I took Advanced Placement biology and chemistry and had so much fun learning and experimenting.” She knew, despite those sticky words of her youth, that she wanted science to somehow play an integral part of her career. But Young discovered she was even more interested in fostering a passion for and success in STEM careers in the next generation, than she was in just her own success.

“My son is my inspiration,” says Young, remembering those sticky words from her youth. “I want to change that perception so that my son and other children don’t grow up with the idea that STEM careers in general aren’t for them” simply because of race or cultural background.

After receiving her bachelor of science in biology, Young knew she wanted to pursue an advanced degree. By now a single parent, Young wanted to find a program that would work for her. A sorority sister, as well as a fellow student from her undergraduate years both suggested College of Saint Mary’s MAT program. Young found that the structure of the program fit perfectly with her needs as a new mother, and the faculty was deeply supportive.

“They create educators who care about academics, but more importantly, they take people who genuinely care about impacting kids and give them the tools to help them change their entire lives.”

Young also found strength in her cohort of fellow students. “I made so many great friends in the MAT program,” says Young. “Attending CSM helped me to better myself and really showed me what my purpose in life is.”

Young consistently designed best practice lessons that were infused with creativity, says Dr. Claudia Wickham, director of CSM’s MAT program. She was also tenacious, adds Wickham. That was very apparent when Young entered the program’s student teaching semester.

Already dealing with a rigorous schedule, she compounded her load by taking additional entrepreneurship training; Young was simultaneously developing her own STEM education business.

“I was admittedly apprehensive,” says Wickham. “I didn’t want Sineah to spread herself too thin. But when she is on a mission, there is no stopping her.” Young successfully shouldered the work through weeks of student teaching and launched GrowUpSTEM – all within the same semester.

“GrowUpSTEM focuses on developing talent and interest in science, technology, engineering and math careers to younger minority children,” says Young. She plans to develop curriculum, books, exploratory imagination kits, and a STEM career simulation app. These methods of engagement are based on her passion for STEM as well as the knowledge gained from CSM’s master of arts in teaching program, says Young.

“Attending College of Saint Mary helped me to better myself and really showed me my purpose in life. It was much more than learning how to teach or knowing best practices. The program allows you to reflect on who you are and what is most important to you.”

Young on Saturday will walk the aisle towards her degree and a new chapter in a life devoted to making an impact in the lives of young students. She’s already on her way. In addition to her fledgling business, Young has accepted a position at Benson High School, where she’ll teach biology. And, pass on the right kind of sticky words.