Students explore resources on campus
BY: ETHAN BECKNER
Staff Writer
The School Expo event hit Meramec’s campus along with other schools during the month of September. Led by Doctor Stephanie Ferguson, the event aims to put a spotlight on the resources STLCC has to offer students. Some that may be found on an entirely different campus. For instance, the Culinary Arts Program is special to the Forest Park location. Representing this table was Jill Vauhgn.
“It’s important for students to see their options. Sometimes they come in with an idea of what they want to do, and don’t necessarily get exposed to all the other options we have.” Vaughn said. This was Vaughn’s first year attending the event. However, she has been with the college for nearly 11 years and is the current dean of business, culinary arts and hospitality.
Vaughn was open about her own experience in college and her goal being at the event.
“I changed my major four times in college. You get exposed to new things and you think about new directions. I hope it brings awareness to all of our campuses,” Vaughn said.
Ferguson had similar thoughts to share.“There are so many opportunities with the things we offer here– like the School Expo event and like the college and career connections. There’s a lot to do,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson has organized the School Expo event across all campuses and hopes to continue to improve the event each year.
“It’s a work in progress. Every semester has changed a little bit, and we’re really trying to get faculty involved and promote their own programs,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson began working at STLCC in 2022 and received her new title of director of student success, insights and programming, back in July 2025. Now she’s in charge of putting these events together in order to bring awareness to students, and show them the resources that STLCC offers.
“When I was growing up, each campus was its own school. It was only right before I started working here that we shifted to a district view. And so we started to slowly break down information barriers and what makes each campus unique. Each campus is special, but still it’s something that anyone can be a part of,” Ferguson said.
Another professor who brings awareness to her table is Lisa Harden. She resided by the science, technology, engineering and math table, with the goal of clearing up misconceptions of studying STEM. Harden gave a quick debrief of the things each branch of STEM requires from students. Later she would go on to express concerns for getting the word out on campus.
“At first there was very little turnout. I was worried if they knew we were out here. It seems like it picked up,” she said.
The school expo showcased that students don’t need to limit themselves to an associate’s degree, or one campus. STLCC provides a wide variety of degrees and paths for those who are just getting started and for those who have been enrolled for some time.
“It’s always important for students to be aware of the opportunities that they have available to them. You can’t take advantage if they don’t know that we’re here,” Harden said.
