About Us
The STEM Starter Academy (SSA) was launched in order to build, enhance, and sustain
the college's capacity to successfully graduate and transfer a greater number of students
in STEM associate degree and certificate programs. Supported by the State Department
of Higher Education and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the STEM Starter Academy's
goal is to match the state's workforce needs for a STEM talent pipeline.
SSA fosters student awareness, interest, and academic success by providing a variety
of opportunities through programs and services for STEM students. We are on a mission
to recruit, retain, and graduate significantly more students in STEM pathways programs.
SSA will help to address gaps, promote alignment and build capacity to meet unaddressed
student needs and to refine the model of articulated student support services and
structured STEM curriculum that will promote:
- Increased student awareness of and access to STEM programs of study and career opportunities
- Enhanced student readiness for and recruiting into STEM pathway programs
- Improved student retention based on academic success and overcoming “life barriers”
- Increased completion through award of certificates or degrees and pathways to STEM jobs or transfer to higher level STEM academic programs
Contact Us
Audrey Frater, Director
Phone: (978) 322-8411
Email: fratera@middlesex.mass.edu
WELCOME SOTHY!
Sothy Gaipo has recently transitioned to a full time coordinator role with the STEM Starter Academy grant. She can be found in the Pathways Center, LC-306. Sothy is an MCC alumnus with a BA from UML and M.Ed from Framingham State University. She brings years of experience working with at-risk youth through the Lowell public schools, charter schools, and Department of Youth Services. Before entering the field of education, Sothy worked closely with an engineering and manufacturing team as a Production and Environmental Health and Safety coordinator at Koch Membrane Systems in Wilmington, MA. She is passionate about providing students access to the resources and support they need to succeed personally, academically, and professionally.
Sothy Gaipo, Project CoordinatorPhone: (978) 322-8414
Email: gaipos@middlesex.mass.edu
Mary Sadler, Administrative Assistant
Phone: (978) 322-8410
Email: sadlerm@middlesex.mass.edu