NEIU Unveils the Center for Science Engagement

After two years of  trials and tribulations, Thursday, Sept. 23 marked the ribbon cutting of the Student Center for Science Engagement in SCI -247, which is the center for community in the science department, and brought joy to the face of Stephanie Levi, the center's coordinator, as she began her new journey in helping the students of NEIU.

 Members from the physics, math, biology, earth science, chemistry and computer science departments represented the major scientific fields that come together to help students, as well as to encourage an environment of growth for the students.

Students can now come to the center for help in the listed subjects and to combine minds with those in and outside of their major. The center also offers help with resumes, graduate school applications and other research opportunities.

As the subtle music from Andre Ruiz and the piano began to reverberate off of the soft green and blue paint of the walls, a room filled to capacity shakes the empty carton of coffee. The 60 plus attendees did not show up for the free coffee, but rather to find out more about the amazing collaboration, which had been more than two years in the making. People commented on the new chairs, the practical use of the space and they offered rounds of applause to a room that once served as a second story of the physics lab.

The facility is the fruits of labor of over 40 people's constant effort and a $2.1 million grant from the Department of Education for Hispanic Serving Institutions.  The project was also started at a difficult time, as the grant writer was on a sabbatical in London.

As the ribbon felt the power of the shears, the proud students and faculty of Northeastern Illinois University rejoiced.