The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) partners with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and Montgomery College (MC) to create select pathway support programs for Montgomery County students. These pathways support students on their journey to college and career readiness beginning in high school, and throughout their college career from MC to USG, through various activities including one-on-one coaching, career experiential learning opportunities, and workshops.
ACES UMD at USG Graduate STEM Ready Students exploring a lab at USG
ACES, a partnership between Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), Montgomery College (MC), and USG, is a college completion program starting in the junior year of high school targeted at students typically underrepresented in higher education. The Center for Transfer Access provides valuable programming for ACES students, including a Summer Bridge Program for rising high school seniors and individualized coaching for ACES students enrolled in programs at USG.
STEM Ready, a partnership program between MCPS, MC, and UMBC-Shady Grove, builds upon the successes of ACES through supporting students as they explore and prepare for careers in STEM fields. The Center for Transfer Access develops opportunities and experiences, designed to support student academic achievement, career readiness competencies, experiential learning, and industry credentials. Through these initiatives, the STEM Ready program empowers students, especially students from underrepresented populations, to successfully earn a degree in Computer Science, Translational Life Science Technology (Biotech), or Mechanical Engineering and to expand the pool of career ready graduates that regional STEM employers seek to hire.