Dynamic Research Education Academy for Mentoring Students in STEM (DREAM-STEM)
A holistic and tiered mentorship program
DREAM was established in 2023 and funded by NASA_MUREP through June 2025. NASA's Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) created this funding opportunity for women-centered institutions to address the gender gap in STEM fields. Statistics show that while women are earning a higher percentage of undergraduate degrees than men, only 10% of women's degrees are in STEM. Moreover, women scientists, engineers, and mathematicians are far less represented in the workforce. The $5 million NASA award was allocated to seven women's colleges and universities across the country.
DREAM Program Activities
Goal-oriented activities are designed to navigate students as early as their first year of college to be more proactive while seeking STEM career opportunities.
A NASA Funded DREAM Interdisciplinary STEM Summer Research Experience at Simmons University
DREAM launched a three-week summer research opportunity for DREAM scholars in May 2024. Twenty-two STEM/DREAM scholars investigated "Water Chemistry, and Microbiology of the Muddy River in Boston, MA" and engaged in writing scientific reports and presentations.
Student Conference Presentations
Scholars presented their findings related to chemical, microbial, and statistical analysis of the Muddy River water at the International Conference, PITCONN, the Muddy River Symposium, and the Simmons STEM Colloquium in spring 2025.
Guests speakers from Industry, NASA and NIH
Keynote Session with Dr. Maha Radhakrishnan
All Simmons students were invited to join DREAM students to listen to Dr. Maha Radhakrishnan speak about her STEM journey from medical school in the Soviet Union, to positively impacting millions of lives with blockbuster drug launches. Students connected with her diverse and unique life experiences, inspiring career path to success, authentic leadership style, and ability to answer questions with individualized advice and guidance. Nearly 60 students attended and were encouraged to stay in touch and take advantage of this opportunity for industry mentorship.
Jackie Townsend, Program Manager for Astrophysics Strategic Missions Program for NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
All Simmons students had the opportunity to benefit from the DREAM program and listen to a celebrated NASA scientist, Jackie Townsend, speak to students and answer questions. Jackie is currently the Program Manager for the Astrophysics Strategic Missions Program at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. DREAM scholars came together in person to connect with Jackie and learn from her winding and exciting career journey.
Jean Chin, Retired Program Director in the Division of Cell Biology & Biophysics at the National Institute of General Medical Sciences under NI
Alumni Jean Chin spoke to DREAM students about her celebrated career. She graduated from Simmons College with a major in Chemistry. Her experiences pursuing a PhD, working in research labs, entering the biotech industry, teaching, and working within the NIH showed students there are many paths that lead from a STEM degree at Simmons.
Well-being & Mindfulness Workshops with Professional Coach Dr. Lara Kallander
Affirmation Training: Integrating Identity with Values for a Balanced Life
Well-being and mindfulness were the focus of this workshop for second year DREAM students. Students had the chance to pause during the hectic semester to create a healthy dialogue with themselves. After creating or choosing affirmations, students were empowered by sharing and connecting to their peers. Several students expressed "that is exactly what I needed today" after Dr. Kallander's presentation, self-reflection, and group dialogue.
Mastering Goals: Resilience in the Face of Failure
Dr. Lara Kallander covered many important topics in this practical workshop for students in their second year of the DREAM program. After learning about creating and prioritizing goals, students discussed their own reasonable and SMARTER goals with a partner. Time was also spent discussing the difference between mistakes and failures and the importance of self-compassion, reframing our thoughts, and connecting with others.
Preparing DREAM Students for a Career in STEM
STEM Career Choices: Explore, Collaborate, and Create
This workshop was also run by DREAM partner Dr. Lara Kallander, professional career coach. Dr. Kallander exposed students to different types of STEM careers through short video descriptions and had students write down what appealed to them, and what did not, about each video. Students then joined others with similar interests to create their own company complete with name, mission, and how their company would make an impact.
Resume Writing and LinkedIn Profile
Many students began developing their LinkedIn Profiles and their resumes for the first time with Dr. Kallander, Professional Career Coach, during this workshop. They saw examples of successful profiles and resumes, as well as tips on what not to do. Students immediately put their new skills to work to begin applying for summer internships, including the DREAM summer research experience.
Study Habits and STEM Identity with Simmons Academic Mentors (SAMs)
Simmons Academic Mentors (or SAMs) are current Simmons students who assist first-year students with academic acclimation to Simmons University. Maebon Puleio and Sienna Jeffries spoke to first-year DREAM students and answered questions thoughtfully through their own experiences. Professor Saha continued the conversation by encouraging students to explore their identities as a way to feel connected to STEM and one another.
How to Write a STEM Focused Cover Letter
Professor Saha introduced cover letters to first-year DREAM students in this very informative workshop. Students were provided with several examples of cover letters from multiple STEM disciplines and a basic template to help them get started. Students immediately put the skills they learned from this workshop to use by applying to summer internships, including the DREAM Summer Research Experience.
STEM Alumni Night in collaboration with the Chemistry and Physics Liaison
The DREAM Program successfully co-hosted the 2nd annual STEM Alumni Night with the Chemistry and Physics Liaison student organization. Twenty-two alumni from a variety of STEM fields came to speak with over 60 Simmons students about their education and career paths. Students engaged with individual alumni, asking questions, handing out business cards, and making lasting connections. The event brought many Simmons faculty, Dean Paul Geisler, former and current students together in a celebration of connection and STEM careers.
Mentors and Partners
Arpita Saha
Professor
Megan McCarty
Associate Professor
Donna Beers
Professor
Jane Lopilato
Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Biology
Meghan Johnston
Associate Teaching Professor and Lab Instrument Manager
Mentoring the Mentors Programs
Janie Ward
Professor Emerita
Partnership with Simmons Science Collaborative
Rich Gurney
Professor and Chair of the Chemistry and Physics Department
Partnerships with Professional Coaches
Lara Kallander
Professional Certified Coach
Simmons University Partners
Office of Undergraduate Advising
We partner with faculty advisors, academic departments and other Simmons support staff to encourage academic and personal development of all undergraduate students.
The Summer Undergraduate Research Program at Simmons (SURPASs)
The Summer Undergraduate Research Program at Simmons (SURPASs) is a paid, mentored summer research and creative scholarship experience for undergraduate students across all academic disciplines.
The Office of Career Development and Employer Relations
The Office of Career Development and Employer Relations is here to empower all Simmons students and alums with the expertise, skills, and resources to engage in, access, and explore diverse opportunities for their life’s work, integrating their passion with their purpose in meaningful careers.
The Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership
The Simmons University Institute of Inclusive Leadership was founded in 2019 and builds on the University’s rich heritage of igniting positive action, fostering everyday leadership, and striving for lasting social justice. The annual Leadership Conference provides a powerful opportunity to be inspired, hear the wisdom of world-class women leaders, build leadership skills, and network with experts from around the globe.
The DREAM Program in the News
STEM Student Receives Presentation Award
International student and data science and analytics major Janhavi Beley ’27 recently received the 2025 Student Presentation Award from the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) National Diversity in STEM conference. We spoke with her about this honor and studying STEM at Simmons.
Thriving as Future STEM Leaders and Innovators
Fuma Iwakura ’26, MJ Vasquez ’27, and Gina Gawargi ’27 are part of the Dynamic Research Education Academy for Mentoring (DREAM) program, which currently has about 60 student participants. The NASA-funded initiative helps increase the retention of Simmons students in STEM fields.
Chemist and Coach Helps Women in STEM Cultivate Belonging
Beyond her faculty role at Simmons’ Department of Chemistry and Physics, Dr. Lara Kallander supports women in STEM via Thriving Through Adversity Coaching, a small business she founded in 2019.
Simmons Receives Award from NASA to Support Women and Minority STEM Students
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) awarded $5 million to women's colleges and universities to help increase the retention of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.