Charting New Paths: The STEM Pioneer Project at Indian River State College
At Indian River State College (IRSC), the future of STEM isn’t just a concept—it’s a living, growing initiative designed to uplift students and change lives. Spearheaded by Dr. Lynne O’Dell, the STEM Pioneer Project is a transformative five-year, grant-funded initiative aimed at improving success, retention, and degree completion for students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. With a vision rooted in community, equity, and academic excellence, the project is already making a powerful impact.
A Legacy of Opportunity
For Dr. O’Dell, this work is deeply personal. Her connection to IRSC began as a child, when her mother worked at Indian River Junior College—a job that, as she recalls, transformed her family’s life. Those early memories of walking the halls of IRJC now shape her passion for helping new students walk confidently into their futures.
Today, as Director of the STEM Pioneer Project, Dr. O’Dell oversees a team dedicated to student support, community outreach, and meaningful partnerships. The project is supported by a $4.96 million Hispanic-Serving Institutions STEM and Articulation Program grant from the U.S. Department of Education, designed to increase the number of Hispanic and economically disadvantaged students earning STEM degrees.
From the Classroom to the Career Path
The STEM Pioneer Project is structured around a simple but powerful goal: help students succeed—and stay—in STEM programs. It does this through a series of targeted academic and support strategies:
- STEM Success Coaches guide students through educational planning, transfer preparation, and graduation.
- Course-embedded Learning Assistants—peer leaders who have previously excelled in the courses they support—help students build confidence and become independent learners. These 25 paid student assistants are crucial in creating a supportive, collaborative learning environment.
- Undergraduate research experiences for first- and second-year students promote long-term engagement and give academic work real-world relevance.
- Mental health and well-being support is embedded into the student experience, recognizing that academic success starts with personal wellness.
- STEM career exploration and co-curricular activities help students envision—and prepare for—their professional futures.
- The Learning Commons serves as a dynamic space where students can study, collaborate, and access resources.
- STEM Transfer Mentors from the University of Florida, IRSC’s articulation partner, help students plan seamless transfers through advising, virtual career fairs, and transfer workshops.
All of this is coordinated by a dedicated team of five full-time staff, including three student success coaches, a mental health counselor, and a project assistant.
Powerful Partnerships and Real-World Impact
A defining feature of the STEM Pioneer Project is its partnership with the University of Florida, which helps streamline the transfer process for students pursuing advanced degrees. This collaboration ensures students from IRSC’s **service district—St. Lucie, Indian River, Martin, and Okeechobee counties—**have the opportunity to rise through the ranks of academia and the STEM workforce.
The program also actively builds community connections to provide undergraduate research opportunities with real-world applications. Whether it’s biology students developing field-based research projects or exploring STEM career paths through mentorship, the aim is always the same: keep students engaged, on track, and excited about their futures.
Teaching and Transformation
In addition to leading the STEM Pioneer Project, Dr. O’Dell also teaches SLS 1101: Strategies for College Success—a course close to her heart. “I love working with students who are new to college,” she says. “Helping them discover what it takes to be successful is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.”
From recruiting students and supporting faculty, to advising biology majors and developing professional training for learning assistants, Dr. O’Dell’s role is comprehensive. She works across departments, connecting students to the resources and people who can support their success.
Building a Future—Together
The STEM Pioneer Project at IRSC is more than just a grant—it’s a movement. It’s a commitment to ensuring that all students, regardless of background, have the support, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive in the high-demand, high-impact world of STEM.
As Dr. O’Dell and her team continue to guide students on their journey—from orientation to graduation and beyond—they remain focused on one thing: making sure no student walks that path alone.
