Undergraduate Research

STRONG: Science and Technology Research Opportunities for a New Generation

STRONG Scholar Hibatullah Shaalan '25 working in Professor Zeb Page's Geology Lab.

Associate Professor of Geology Zeb Page and Hibatullah Shaalan '25 at the controls of the VEGA3 Scanning Electron Microscope.

Photo credit: Yvonne Gay

Research and innovation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) provide enormous contributions to our understanding of the world and offer advancements in health, technology, interactions with the environment, etc. However, some identities are drastically underrepresented in STEM at the undergraduate stage and beyond. This dearth in diversity impedes the advancement of scientific knowledge and contributes to disparities and injustices in the population. The STRONG program (Science and Technology Research Opportunities for a New Generation) represents Oberlin College’s commitment to increasing the diversity of the STEM workforce.

The STRONG program is intended for talented students from underrepresented backgrounds with a clear dedication to STEM. STRONG Scholars participate in a specialized first-year experience designed to help them adapt to college and thrive in their STEM journey at Oberlin and beyond. Key components of this first-year experience are early research opportunities, close mentoring from STEM faculty and staff, community building with other STRONG Scholars, and academic skill-building pertinent to STEM courses.

Benefits of STRONG

STRONG Scholars at Oberlin receive a head start on settling in and making lasting connections with peers, professors, and staff who will support them throughout their college years. These relationships create a foundation for academic and personal success during their time at Oberlin.

Key benefits of the STRONG program include:

  • Scholars receive close guidance from STEM faculty, staff, and peers.
  • A tailored first-year curriculum advances their knowledge and skills in STEM.
  • Scholars gain early access to research experiences during their first year.

The impact of STRONG is clear:

  • 90% of the original cohort graduated with STEM majors, compared to 44% for underrepresented and racial minorities (URMs) at Oberlin.
  • Scholars excel beyond their first year, continuing research at Oberlin and R1 institutions, presenting at conferences, and winning awards.
  • STRONG Scholars become leaders on campus and beyond. They have served as co-chairs for Oberlin’s Black Scientist Guild, brought URM speakers to campus, organized conference attendance for URM scientists, served on Oberlin’s Student Senate, and represented their class on the Board of Trustees.
The STRONG Affiliate Program

The STRONG Affiliate program was launched in 2023 to broaden the reach and impact of the STRONG program by increasing the size of our first year cohort. STRONG Affiliates enjoy the same opportunities for early access to research, close faculty mentorship, and community building opportunities as all STRONG scholars. STRONG Affiliates participate in pre-orientation programming, the STRONG Winter Term, are matched with a faculty mentor, attend community events, and particiapte in peer mentor networks. STRONG Affiliates do not participate in the STRONG First Year Seminar and are not eligible for STRONG's need-based stipend.

STRONG 2025-26

Now that you have learned about the STRONG program, are you interested in staying in touch? Please complete our STRONG 2025-26 Interest Form to be added to our email list regarding the STRONG 2025-26 program. You will receive information in Spring 2025 as we begin to identify our next cohort of STRONG Scholars and Affiliates.