**PERSIST will not meet during the 2025-2026 academic year.**
Due to low attendance over the last two years, we are pausing PERSIST meetings. There are awesome community building opportunities through groups like BRANCHES, the Oberlin Black Scientists’ Guild, and others. If you are interested about the background of PERSIST, please read below.
What is PERSIST?
PERSIST (PEeRS In STem) is a new group on the Oberlin campus that seeks to foster a supportive network of underrepresented students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). We want to help these students cultivate their science identity—the feeling that they belong and can be successful in STEM. We also want to connect with the Oberlin community by inviting Oberlin High School students to be a part of this network. This program is currently led by Lisa Ryno, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Oberlin College.
Who is eligible to be a part of PERSIST?
We welcome those students who are traditionally and currently underrepresented in STEM and their allies. These include students that are persons of color, first-generation, women, LGBTQIA+, Pell-eligible, and students interested in supporting a diverse STEM environment. We exclude no one from attending PERSIST meeting nor do we confirm whether a student identifies with one of these categories.
What will we do in PERSIST meetings?
We will form small groups (e.g., one 3rd/4th year, one 1st/2nd year and one Oberlin High School student) that will have the opportunity to informally socialize/talk about current successes and obstacles, all while enjoying some free snacks. We will also aim to have a community building activity (e.g., spending an afternoon or two working with Oberlin Community Services, tending to the butterfly garden, etc.) during the second half of the year.
Students will participate in voluntary surveys about their STEM experience throughout the year, and will have brief monthly check-ins (via online surveys and in person) with the faculty mentor (Lisa Ryno) to ensure the mentoring groups are comfortable and productive.
When will PERSIST begin?
PERSIST is being paused for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Who is supporting PERSIST?
The meetings will be facilitated by Lisa Ryno, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Oberlin College.