College of Saint Mary Hosts Annual African American Summer Academy

This week College of Saint Mary is hosting 39 10th- and 11th-grade African American students for the second annual African American Summer Academy (AASA) in Math and Science. Academy participants will experience activities in the field of forensic science, art and computer technology, while having an opportunity to stay in the College of Saint Mary residence halls for one week. Students will go to classes, and enjoy field trips, Zumba, self-defense and other activities. They will enjoy having dinner and meeting with African American community leaders and participate in enriching events and exercises. The program begins on Sunday evening and ends the following Friday evening with a family picnic and certificate ceremony. Highly-qualified faculty and College of Saint Mary students and staff closely supervise students. These young women will discover their potential, make new friends and have fun. This year’s participants are from Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa.

AASA’s goal is to encourage young, African American girls to finish high school and attend college. This is a one-of-a-kind program in Omaha that provides a live-in college experience and has a proven record of encouraging young women to feel more confident to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers.

A community of faith and learning, College of Saint Mary offers an education that inspires excellence and celebrates the roles of women as scholars and contributors to society, family and church. Founded in 1923 by the Sisters of Mercy, we are dedicated to academic excellence and service-learning opportunities that help women develop a greater sense of self-worth and a confidence that they can take out into the world to make a difference for all. This is what we mean by Bloom.

Located in the heart of Omaha, Nebraska, we welcome students from all world religions and from across the nation. We offer affordable degree programs across a wide spectrum of today’s leading fields such as nursing, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, teaching with specialties, teaching for career changers, business with an emphasis on analytics and strategic communication, legal studies and more. We provide a solid liberal arts education foundation for all of these major with opportunities to study and enjoy the fine and performing arts. Starting in fall 2015, College of Saint Mary will enter into the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC), with eight sports teams for our skilled and competent athletes, the Flames.