Education
2015-2017
University Name
2011-2014
University Name
2007-2014
University Name
This is your Education description. Concisely describe your degree and any other highlights of your studies. Make sure to include relevant skills, accomplishments, and milestones gained. Don’t forget to adjust the timeframe in the subtitle.
This is your Education description. Concisely describe your degree and any other highlights of your studies. Make sure to include relevant skills, accomplishments, and milestones gained. Don’t forget to adjust the timeframe in the subtitle.
This is your Education description. Concisely describe your degree and any other highlights of your studies. Make sure to include relevant skills, accomplishments, and milestones gained. Don’t forget to adjust the timeframe in the subtitle.
ILAC History
Queenster Nartey and Paul Faronbi met during their Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) at Iowa State University in Ames Iowa in June 2014. As Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska STEM Partnership for Innovation in Research and Education- Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (IINSPIRE LSAMP) scholars, they received financial and mentorship support. They quickly became good friends and cordial rivals as they cheered on Ghana and Nigeria during the 2014 World Cup. When they graduated in 2016, Queenster was selected as a Research Fellow at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Paul earned a position with General Mills.
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In 2017, they were invited to speak as panelists to share ways to Cultivate STEM Identity for Student Success from an alum’s perspective. After the conference, an older gentleman approached Queenster and encouraged her to form a group for the IINSPIRE alumni to maintain enriching relationships. Queenster shared the idea with Paul who agreed enthusiastically. Five months later, they drafted a Statement of Purpose proposal for the IINSPIRE LSAMP Alumni Committee (ILAC) and the Committee launched in July 2017.
Queenster Nartey and Paul Faronbi at
2016 IINSPIRE LSMAP Annual Conference
Des Moines, IA
Their goal was simple- to unite IINSPIRE LSAMP alumni to help current students achieve success. During the 2017-2018 year, Paul and Queenster recruited nine alumni and hosted another panel at the 2018 conference. They decided to develop an ILAC Leadership Team (ILT) to assist them with recruitment and develop a mentoring program. During the 2018-2019 year, 20 alumni were part of ILAC, 11 of which served as mentors to 40 IINSPIRE students. In 2019-2020, the ILAC developed new initiatives: the Lending Library, Sponsorship Program, and Expansion into National LSAMP Alumni Group, all which launched during the 2020-2021 ILT.
The Lending Library aims to support current undergraduate students by meeting the growing need for textbooks and graduate and professional school preparation books. The Sponsorship program was developed to raise funds to support current IINSPIRE scholars, and support ILAC initiatives, and alumni engagement. The National Association of LSAMP Alumni serves as an additional resource for students to connect with LSAMP alumni all over the United States. In November 2020, the ILAC became a nonprofit corporation. Queenster and Paul are often incredulous when they reflect on the achievements of the ILAC.
Want more details? Click here to Read Queenster’s blog called “Fear is Worse Than Failure!