A Deep-Dive Into STEMpathize’s Outreach Team

An important part of STEMpathize’s mission is spreading accessible STEM learning opportunities, opening doors for students and organizations to take their first steps into STEM fields. At the front of that endeavor is Roma Singh, the Outreach Team Lead, who guides her team of interns in expanding STEMpathize’s reach and strengthening its partnerships.

“As the Outreach Team Lead, I guide my interns in connecting STEMpathize with 

schools, organizations, and students who can benefit from our programs,” Roma explains. Her responsibilities, which combines leadership, communication, and project coordination, include leading team meetings, project management, team coordination, communications management, documentation and systems, and collaboration. Her main goal? To expand STEMpathize’s reach and build sustainable partnerships while ensuring every intern feels involved and valued.

A typical work cycle for Roma’s team is quarterly, although variable depending on the programs or events currently happening at STEMpathize or what they are requested to promote. Generally, a cycle begins with researching and updating contact databases for different audiences, then sending outreach emails to a number of contacts, with additional outreach to local libraries, organizations, or individuals by interns. As a conclusion, the group reflects to review what went well, what could be improved, and what to focus on next.

Roma describes the Outreach Team’s dynamic as “very collaborative and supportive. Everyone brings something unique to the table, and I ensure that the interns feel confident in their contributions, regardless of experience.” As the leader, Roma places emphasis on open communication and accountability, which contributes to their team culture built on teamwork, learning, and growth. In addition, the team checks in during weekly meetings to track progress, address challenges, and make sure they’re staying on schedule. 

“We stay connected through Slack, where I encourage the team to ask questions and share updates. We support one another, give constructive feedback, and find ways to improve both individually and as a group.”

This positive, vibrant culture coupled with the team’s hardworking, organized structure allows for the Outreach Team to undertake important projects and bring them to successful fruition. One of the biggest initiatives of the team is one Roma herself says she is quite proud of: the Organization Collaboration Project. With the goal to reach out to related organizations and explore potential collaborations, anywhere from co-hosting events to sharing resources, the team learned to balance independence with teamwork, adapt approaches to responses, stay organized across multiple outreach efforts, and ultimately grew tremendously as a team—something Roma highlights in her interview.

“Being part of the Outreach Team has helped me grow both professionally and personally,” Roma says. Having initially taken interest in the team because, “I’ve always loved connecting with people and helping expand opportunities for others,” Roma joined the Outreach Team excited to spread STEM education and build partnerships. In her time there, she highlights a number of skills she’s developed: strong communication skills, especially in writing professional emails and drafting personal messages, as well as confidence in formal settings. When the opportunity came to become the Outreach Team Lead, Roma accepted the role because, she explains, “I wanted to take on a more active leadership position and help shape the direction of our team.” As the team lead, Roma has added even more skills to her toolbox: how to balance structure with flexibility, guide a remote team effectively, motivate members to stay engaged, and help others develop their own communication and leadership skills.

The Outreach Team is currently wrapping up their Summer Competition Series Project, a program designed to increase engagement with students during the summer through interactive STEM-based challenges. “Our primary goal was to give students a fun and educational way to stay connected with STEMpathize while school was out,” Roma says. 

Congratulations on a successful quarter, and good luck with future endeavors to Roma and the Outreach Team!