Students from the STEM Educational Institute were recognized on the field at Yankee Stadium before the Yankees vs. Blue Jays game on Friday, Aug. 2, as part of the New York Yankees STEM initiative. The initiative provides training by the STEM Educational Institute to underrepresented high school students across the city to help improve their technological and financial literacy skills.

 

During the Aug. 2 game, the Institute also hosted a fundraising event, featuring autographed items, unique memorabilia, and 2025 Yankee season tickets. As part of the STEM initiative, students participate in a one-year program that begins each summer.

 

“Unfortunately, in areas where students are in underrepresented populations or under-resourced, they are not getting the technological skills they need,” said Nikisha Alcindor, president and founder of the STEM Educational Institute. “So that’s where we come in, and that’s our mission.”

 

Alcindor said when students complete the program, they receive a stipend, college scholarship, and access to an alumni learning platform. “It’s our commitment to them to see them finish high school, go through college, finish college, and then get a career in STEM,” Alcindor continued.

During the summer, representatives from the Institute said students receive hands-on training where they learn to use Python, a computer programming language, and how to utilize it. Students also learn financial literacy, including the basics of budgeting and investing as they prepare for college. Additionally, they receive guidance on how to deal with stress efficiently to help maintain good mental health.

 

Once the summer portion of the program concludes, students attend the Institute one Saturday each month to continue their learning. Alcindor said this year, the STEM Educational Institute reached a milestone of 100 students served, with 27 students currently in college and majoring in STEM skills.

 

She added, “We have 100 percent of our high school students graduate high school where only 80% of students in New York are graduating from high school.”

 

The fundraising event held at the stadium also honored Dr. Ushma Neill, vice president of scientific education and training at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK). MSK has provided learning opportunities for students with the STEM Educational Institute in the past, and Neill oversees the scientific academic curriculum and training for all scientists and laboratories for MSK.

“You can’t just jump straight to highly trained physicians and scientists,” said Neill. “You have to have a pipeline and that’s where STEM Educational Institute comes into play. They grab these bright talents, and they nurture them over time and make sure they are put on a path that might lead to us someday, if we’re lucky enough to recruit them.”

 

Christopher Grullon, who completed the program two years ago and is now a teaching assistant for engineering courses at Columbia University, said it was an amazing experience. “[It] helped me get out of my comfort zone,” he said. “In the program, it would be an experience of waking up to people ready to see you and understand who you are and what you’re trying to do.”

 

Grullon continued, “The experience helped me get more comfortable around people and with people, to be more open with energy and with that energy. I am able to keep on connecting with others. The program helped me to find other summer opportunities that would help me in my career because I want to pursue civil engineering.”

 

Meanwhile, Brian Smith, Yankees senior vice president of corporate /community relations, said of the initiative, “The New York Yankees are proud to contribute to the development of the next generation of STEM leaders and professionals in partnership with the STEM Educational Institute.”

He continued, “By instilling participants with tangible skills to reach their dreams for the future, the New York Yankees STEM Scholars program empowers young people from underserved populations with critical components for workplace success and long-term personal stability.”

 

Smith concluded, “We are so excited to continue this program for a third consecutive year and look forward to cultivating young STEM talent who can be a beacon for their community.”