Expanding STEM pathways to former refugees

Brothers and former refugees share their story about pursuing STEM degrees at ASU.

October 21, 2024

As part of a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation, Arizona State University Professor Eugene Judson, who is with the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, has been collaborating with ASU Professor Philip Klucsarits, who is part of the Sidney Poitier Film School, to bring to life the stories of refugees pursuing STEM pathways.

Judson is principal investigator of the project Promoting Aspirations in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics through Youth and Family Engagement, which explores ways to increase participation of former refugees in STEM fields.

As part of the project, a series of videos developed under the guidance of Klucsarits is being featured on the STEM Dreams In Motion YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@STEMDreamsInMotion

The latest video segment features Kilali Kaluta Sage and Faraja Madika Alimasi. The brothers were born and raised in Tanzanian refugee camps after their family was forced to flee conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The family resettled in Phoenix, and the brothers are now students at ASU West Valley campus where Kilali is majoring in pharmacology and toxicology and Faraja is majoring in cybersecurity.

The primary partners of the project are the following ethnic community-based organizations: Bhutanese Community of Arizona, Burundi-America Association for Humanity and Opportunities, Mwangaza Wa Upendo and the Syrian Community Service Center.

The project’s co-principal investigators and senior personnel include Carlos Casanova, MLFTC assistant professor; Pamela Marshall, President’s Professor with the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences; Nalini Chhetri, clinical professor with the School for the Future of Innovation in Society and the School of Sustainability; Shawn Jordan, associate professor with the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering; and Klucsarits. Former MLFTC faculty member Meseret Hailu was also part of the project.

The project team works with former refugees to help increase awareness of higher education pathways and to promote awareness and interest in STEM careers. Families with students in grades 7–12 participate in various activities, including a series of workshops focused on college knowledge and STEM careers, an online career guidance course and STEM-focused field and trips to college campuses. The project also includes e-mentoring with STEM professionals and college students from the same communities.