January 23, 2019
Media Availability – SIU Carbondale participating in SMASH Illinois program
Beginning this year Southern Illinois University Carbondale will participate in SMASH, the signature STEM education program of the Kapor Center. Through university partnerships, SMASH will provide a three-year, free-of-cost, residential college preparatory program targeting high school students from traditionally underrepresented communities who are interested in pursuing science, technology, education and mathematics (STEM) careers.
A news conference to discuss the university’s partnership in the program is at 11 a.m., Thursday, in Chicago. Among those attending will be Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and SIU Carbondale Provost and Vice Chancellor Meera Komarraju.
Komarraju will be available to discuss the program with Southern Illinois media representatives from 9 to 11 a.m., Friday. The availability will be in the Provost’s Office, Anthony Hall, Room 125.
Other organizations participating in SMASH Illinois are Illinois Institute of Technology, and the Creating Pathways and Access for Student Success Foundation. The SMASH Illinois program will focus on core STEM skills at the intersection of health, technology, innovation and equity to empower underrepresented students to pursue STEM and excel in the rising “HealthTech” industry.
SMASH Illinois will run from July 6 to August 10.
To make arrangements for interviews, contact Melanie Terbrak at 618/453-7648 or Pete Rosenbery, assistant director for communications and marketing, 618/453-1439.