ACES Scholarship

Awarding Career Educators in STEM (ACES)

A Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program at Saint Leo

Students who love biology and math have more career options than ever before. Saint Leo can show you how to set your passion on a new course by becoming a STEM teacher through a degree program that keeps you close to the subjects that matter most.

Pursue your passion for STEM and teaching with a scholarship funded by the National Science Foundation. Awarding Career Educators in STEM (ACES) is a scholarship specifically designed for students who major in mathematics or biology, and minor in education. Qualifying students receive $18,750 in both their junior and senior year. ACES scholars also receive assistance with teacher certification exams, teaching experiences and mentoring that continues into the first years of teaching after graduation.

Interested in applying for the ACES Scholarship?

Complete the ACES Application Form and ACES Recommendation Form and submit them to us at ACES@saintleo.edu

ACES Scholarship Application

ACES Recommendation Letter

ACES Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

Minimum 3.0 GPA.
Major or plan to major in biology or math, with a minor in education.
Plan to attend or currently enrolled full-time at Saint Leo University main campus.
Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Must demonstrate financial need.
Must submit your FAFSA®.
Must submit the STEM Scholarship application, which requires:
- Two professional recommendations that reflect your STEM background and experiences, and your potential for teaching.
- 500 Word Essay about your passion to pursue Biology or Math

Selection of ACES Scholarship Recipients

Students can expect to hear back within 2-4 weeks after application has been submitted.

Degree Programs Covered by ACES

Bachelor's Degree in Biology - Education Minor

College of Arts, Sciences, and Allied Services

Campus
Bachelor's Degree in Computational Mathematics

College of CARDS

Campus
Bachelor's Degree in Biology - General

College of Arts, Sciences, and Allied Services

Campus

Additionally, Saint Leo University offers a variety of education degrees, along with multiple minor options. The Bachelor of Arts programs includes an early childhood education degree track, elementary education degrees, middle grades education and secondary education programs in a variety of subjects. Our master’s degree in education programs features education leadership tracks, instructional leadership, reading, design and more. We also offer a doctorate of school leadership, as well as other programs.

Explore Education Degrees

Why Become a STEM Teacher?

Science is everywhere! Technology is constantly changing. Engineering is involved in the structural designs of our buildings and roads, and also tackles the process of improving smart products for our homes. It is literally everywhere. Mathematics is involved in all occupations in every single aspect of our daily lives.

By exposing students to STEM and opening student's minds to STEM concepts, you are essentially changing the trajectory of our future too. Make an impact on the lives of children and young adults who share your passion for science, technology, engineering and math. Stake your place in a high-demand profession where current teacher shortages in science and math translate into greater opportunities for trained and certified STEM teachers.

JOBS! The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) has annually identified critical teacher shortages in the areas of science and math. These critical shortages translate into high demand for STEM trained and certified teachers
MAKE an impact in the lives of children and young adults.
IMPROVE the quality of STEM education for current and future students in your community.
SHARE your love of biology or math with others.

Meet Our STEM Faculty

We have all heard that our nation needs more talent ̶ regardless of gender or background ̶ to take on the rising number of jobs in fields related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Here is an aspect of the challenge you may not have considered, though: to create more STEM-trained professionals, we need more secondary-level public school ̶educators who are well-trained in the underlying subjects.

A high-powered team of educators is making sure Saint Leo University is doing its part to train talented University Campus students to help fill this need. At the same time, they are exposing more of our students to satisfying career opportunities they have otherwise overlooked.

The group is headed by Dr. Laura Altfeld, an associate professor of biology and ecology, working closely with her are, Dr. Holly Atkins, chair of the Undergraduate Education Department; and science faculty member Cheryl Berry, who teaches life sciences and science education courses.

The team has an ongoing focus on recruiting and selecting rising juniors for substantial two-year scholarships (underwritten by a grant) and extensive mentoring opportunities. The students admitted to this forward-looking program are going to be called ACES - Noyce Fellows.

Dr. Holly Atkins, Ph.D.
Ms. Cheryl Berry, M.Ed.
Dr. Laura Altfeld, Ph.D.

Get Involved with STEM

Conferences

Laela Oullette presenting her STEM research at the SENOYCE
Scholars at AAAS National Summit in Washington, DC

Activities

Laela Oullette and Chris Bove win the 2021 Saint Leo University Physics Program Bridge Competition
Leala Oullette and Chris Bove assist in judging science fair projects at a local elementary school

Scholars Leala Starz and Nichole Long participate in STEM activities at Dauphin Island Sea Lab while at the Southeast Noyce Regional Conference in Mobile Alabama in 2023.
Scholars Leala Starz and Nichole Long participate in STEM activities at Dauphin Island Sea Lab while at the Southeast Noyce Regional Conference in Mobile Alabama in 2023.

Laela Starz and Nicole Long with Dr. Berry at Dauphin Island Sea Lab while attending the Southeast Noyce Regional Conference in Mobile Alabama in 2023.
Laela Starz and Nicole Long at Dauphin Island Sea Lab while attending the Southeast Noyce Regional Conference in Mobile Alabama in 2023.

Chris Bove at the Noyce National Conference in Washington Dc, 2023.
Dr. Atkins and Dr. Berry with scholars Chris Bove and Samantha Jeansonne at the Noyce National Conference in Washington DC, 2023.

Graduated & Current STEM Scholars

My name is Samantha Jeansonne. I am a math teacher in Louisiana. My former career was Nursing. I was a nurse for nearly 19 years in the field of mental health and substance abuse. I have come to Florida to further my education with a change in career. I transferred as a junior to Saint Leo and currently studying for my Bachelor’s in Mathematics and minor in Education. The ACES scholarship is one of the leading reasons I have been able to make this decision.

I am Jacob Austin and I graduated from Saint Leo with my Bachelor of Arts in general mathematics with a minor in music and a minor in education. After teaching high school very briefly, I learned that teaching high school wasn't for me. I have since been employed at Woodland Elementary School, where I have been teaching 2nd grade STEM. I also work at Mathnasium, a math learning center, where I have worked for a little over 3 years.

My name is Nichole Yager. I am a science teacher at Nature Coast High School. I am an Army veteran. My first Bachelor’s Degree was in Business Management and Supervision in Healthcare and my second degree was in Biology with an education minor. My hopes are to always continue to learn. I wish to pursue my PhD. in Genetics and teach for higher education in the future. The ACES scholarship has empowered me to keep growing and learning and allowed me to find passion in helping the students of today and tomorrow learn more and more about biology every day.

My name is Chris Bove. I am a middle school science teacher at Stewart Middle School. A bit about me is that I am a Tampa native my whole life! I earned my bachelor's in biology with two minors in Chemistry & Education. The ACES scholarship is one of the leading reasons I have a career right after graduating. ACES for me was imperative to transition me from being a college kid into a successful adult with a fulfilling career.

My name is Laela Starz and I am a biology, chemistry, and physics teacher at Noble High School in Berwick Maine. I love being a teacher for so many reasons but one of my favorite parts of my job is being able to help my students gain confidence. It is so rewarding to see students embrace what they love to do whether that is music, science, art or sports. I am proud of the things I have been able to accomplish through the ACES program, I have graduated with minimal debt and it allowed me to work less through college so that I could focus on studying. I have also been to several conferences to meet other in service or preservice teachers that have the same teaching philosophy as I do.

My name is Fiona McLaughlin and I received a bachelors in biology degree with an education minor at Saint Leo. I chose to pursue the ACES scholarship because I have spent several years coaching lacrosse and felt that I had a passion for educating others. I am currently working on my Masters Degree in Education at Saint Leo and worked as a graduate assistant for the Lacrosse team.

My name is Carly Bitner. I am a Florida native and grew up in the East Orlando area my whole life. Here at Saint Leo, I am majoring in General Biology with a minor in education in hopes to teach science at the high school level. I am also a part of the Division II Women’s Lacrosse team here as well. I love being outside, going to the beach, listening to music and going on runs with my dogs!

My name is Abbi Jeffers, I am currently a biology major who recently became an ACES scholar. Growing up I lived abroad in China and Saudi Arabia which allowed me to be exposed to a wide variety of cultures. One day I hope to live abroad again as an international teacher and I believe the ACES program will be instrumental in me achieving this goal in the future. I am passionate about biology and my main focus as a teacher would be to inspire and educate students of all backgrounds in a way that is engaging and accessible to all

My name is Deisy Baumgardner. I am a Biomedical Health Sciences major with a minor in Psychology and teaching at Saint Leo, and I have recently joined to become an ACES scholar. In the future I hope to earn a Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy, and work with kids who have disabilities .I believe that by being given this amazing opportunity joining the ACES program I have an opportunity to learn how to work with children. I have always wanted to help others and I feel as joining the ACES program I will have the ability to serve my community and hopefully make a change. I love being outdoors, spending me with family, and helping others.

Want to Know More?

For more information about your pathway to a STEM teaching degree at Saint Leo, reach out to one of our faculty members who are as passionate about biology and math as you.

For more information about your pathway to a STEM teaching degree, reach out to one of our faculty members or email us at ACES@saintleo.edu

Listen to a recent information session about the ACES scholarship!

Links to News Stories

Saint Leo ACES Scholar Working Toward STEM Teaching Career

Saint Leo University’s First Noyce/ACES Scholar Graduates, Plans to Teach High School Biology

Social Media

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NSF Project No. 1949914

Disclaimer: The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

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Awarding Career Educators in STEM (ACES)

A Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program at Saint Leo

Interested in applying for the ACES Scholarship?