San Diego Squared (SD2) is shaping the future of STEM by centering mentorship as the key to unlocking opportunity and belonging for underrepresented students. Through its signature programs, Squared Fellows and Squared Scholars, SD2 combines guidance, exposure, and financial support to ensure students not only enter but thrive in STEM pathways.
The Squared Fellows Program introduces high school students to a year-long, rotation-based mentorship experience. Fellows meet monthly with mentors, participate in professional development workshops, and visit leading STEM companies across San Diego. These opportunities help students envision career paths, build networks, and gain the confidence to pursue higher education.
The Squared Scholars Program extends this support into college, providing multi-year scholarships alongside mentorship and career exploration. Each Scholar is paired with a mentor who offers guidance and encouragement throughout their academic journey. By reducing financial barriers and strengthening personal connections, Scholars are able to focus on growth, achievement, and their long-term career goals.
For SD2, mentorship is more than advice. It is advocacy, access, and affirmation that students belong in STEM. By cultivating strong relationships between students and professionals, SD2 equips young people with tools, networks, and confidence that extend far beyond the classroom.
Together, Fellows and Scholars form a growing community of aspiring scientists, engineers, and innovators who carry forward the lessons of mentorship. With each success story, SD2 continues to demonstrate the transformative power of pairing opportunity with guidance, ensuring a stronger STEM workforce for the future.
www.sd2.org
