I am because we are.

PARTNERS

African proverb

Sprout and S.T.E.M. was organized in the spirit of improving the Rhode Island's educational system. Our program prioritizes the empowerment of students through the provision of academic resources including tutoring, mentorship, and consulting. SAS was originated by a founder who personally attended an urban public high school and understands the disadvantages of these systems. Partnering with Classical High School has kickstarted our initiative this 19-20 school year. We are gratified to have gained the approval of Classical principal Scott Barr and science faculty director Aja Butler, for without their guidance and support, our program would not be possible.

We also extend our appreciation to Dr. Andrew Simmons, chairman of the Pre-Health Organization at the University of Rhode Island, for endorsing and disseminating our program to students throughout his campus. We are pleased that mutual interests have collaborated in the spirit of positive reform. SAS also appreciates the receptivity of the Providence community and its willingness to support and build our initiative.

STAFF

The core of Sprout and S.T.E.M. is comprised of university undergraduates and aspiring young professionals with formal education in the natural sciences. Many of our mentors boast considerable tutoring experience at the high school, collegiate, or graduate level, and enjoy the opportunity of sharing their knowledge and understanding of natural science. Our administrators and mentors consist of area university students and graduates representing an array of institutions and concentrations of study (see below). Together, the Sprout and S.T.E.M. faculty aims to improve the academic performance and preparedness of high school students struggling or interested in biology, chemistry, and physics. Our mentors have undergone BCI background testing and an extensive application process ensuring they are qualified to tutor with Sprout and STEM and its participants.

Academic institutions represented

10

Brown University | Colby College | Connecticut College

Providence College | Rhode Island College | Salve Regina University

The University of Connecticut | The University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth

The University of Tennessee | The University of Rhode Island

Areas of study represented

Biochemistry | Biological Sciences | Biomedical Engineering | Business Administration

Cell and Molecular Biology | Chemistry | Chemical Engineering | Communications

Computer Science | Finance | Kinesiology | Mechanical Engineering | Neuroscience

Pharmacy | Physics | Physiology | Psychology

Victor M. Hunt

Director, Founder

As someone who formerly attended an urban public high school, Victor M. Hunt understands how said schools tend to lack many of the supplemental resources privy to suburban and private school systems. For this reason as well as others, Victor went on to found Sprout and STEM in the summer of 2019.

A 2019 graduate of the University of Rhode Island, Victor has since returned to his alma mater as a graduate student within the university's highly renowned Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program. There, he plans to study the structure and function of neuronal ion channels and their role in degenerative brain disease.

Mark Liptak

Lead Coordinator, Cofounder

Mark Liptak is a 2020 graduate from the University of Rhode Island where he majored in psychology with a pre-medical concentration.

Mark is a Narragansett, Rhode Island native and aspiring emergency medical physician. He is also employed as an undergraduate research assistant through the Health Behavioral Change Lab at URI where he is expanding his knowledge in experimental research design and social behavioral.

URI Contact Person

Christopher Hardy

Consulting

The University of Rhode Island

B.S. Finance

Fidelity Investments

Lauren Szpond

Consulting

Mentor

The University of Tennessee

Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

PhD Candidate

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