When you first encounter SEES, it may be candy that comes to mind, but at the College of Science, SEES is a healthier choice that’s helped countless STEM students succeed since 1987. SEES stands for Science Educational Enhancement Services. It was founded by the late Paul Hiemenz, Professor of Chemistry, who served as director for 12 years, followed by Professor of Chemistry Barbara Burke who served for 14 years.
For the past 12 years, SEES has been led by alumnus and Professor of Biological Sciences, Steve Alas (’94, biology). He was a member of SEES during his time at CPP and recalls, “Community was the biggest thing for me. We had a physical place to go every day and a social life. We also received advice, academic help, and mentoring from Hiemenz.” Alas shares that Hiemenz continued to provide advice and support while he was pursuing his doctorate.
Alas earned his Ph.D. at UCLA studying tumor immunology, how the body’s immune system detects and destroys cancer cells. He did his post-doctoral fellowship, focusing on genetics, at City of Hope Medical Center. In 2005, Alas was hired as Assistant Professor in Biological Sciences at Cal Poly Pomona. He recalls that during his CPP interview presentation, he had included a picture of his mentor, Hiemenz. Alas was nearly moved to tears when he saw that Hiemenz was in the audience.
An important component of the SEES student success recipe is community building and peer support. Alas deserves much credit for the social activities and events that help create a sense of community. He put SEES on solid financial footing in 2015 by starting summer Discovery Camps for kids 7-14. The camps now serve 800-900 kids every summer, provide teaching opportunities for SEES students and funding for their activities throughout the year. The camps also fund things like awards, computer loans, and reimbursement for graduate school applications.
Alumna Abigail Trujillo (‘23, chemistry) shared, “Through the SEES program I made connections with like-minded individuals that created a valuable support system. I found community away from home. The program also built my social and networking skills so I would be able to navigate the workplace and be able to grow.” Trujillo works in a quality control and environmental lab for a lead refinery. She does laboratory work, maintains instruments and modifies and develops analytical methods.
SEES is so much more than a social club. SEES services include peer and faculty mentoring, paid research fellowships, funding for attending conferences, a first-year experience science course, textbook loans, and workshops for academic and professional development.
SEES is also known for its culture of caring. When asked what makes a good SEES Director, Alas responded, “They make students feel loved. On a good day, it’s hugs because of their accomplishments, on a bad day, because of their struggles. You also go the extra distance to give advice, even after they go on to graduate school or their career.”
Alumnus Robert Parsons (’19, computer science) worked for Alas as a student assistant. “Every day I was in the office with Dr. Alas, I witnessed first-hand his dedication to the SEES program, its mission, and to the students. He made college feel welcoming and comfortable, treating his students with respect, treating them as if they were his own kids. Working in the SEES office taught me the value of teamwork, communication, trying your best, and giving back to the community,” Parsons said.
Parsons is now a software engineer for HP Inc. Many SEES students go on to successful careers in medicine, in industry, and education.
When Alas took over SEES in 2013, the program served about 300 students. Under his leadership, it has grown to serve 600-700 students a year.
“This was my dream job, but it also meant that I had to continue the legacy of mentoring that Hiemenz started. I was paying it forward, but also repaying him by sustaining it and growing it. It was tremendously fulfilling to me,” Alas said.
Last year he decided the demands of the program were such that he couldn’t keep up with the pace. “If you love the program, you have to step aside and let someone with new ideas, and energy take over. I love it too much to not step away when the time is right” he said. Though he’s stepping down as SEES Director, he will continue to run the Discovery Science Camps.
In July, Janel Ortiz will step in as SEES Director. Ortiz said, "I look forward to stepping into this position with excitement and creativity so I can add my own touch to the SEES program just as previous directors have done."
