2024 is another banner year for the extraordinary Rising Stars Internship Program at the University of St. Thomas-Houston, which has soared to serve nearly 240 primarily first-generation students since the program began in 2019 with only five. Rising Stars’ annual celebration on April 25, from 6 to 8 p.m., in UST’s Center for Science and Health Professions, will mark multiple milestones.

First, the program designed to provide low-income and first-generation students with a competitive edge in career and life will highlight the grand opening of its Rising Stars House. Due to its overwhelming growth, the program has moved to a new, larger location on campus, which offers more study areas and collaborative space and serves to house the University’s food market in partnership with the Houston Food Bank.

Recognizing Our Five-Year Business Partners

Next, the landmark program will recognize its five-year business partners with gratitude. These are the businesses that have provided steadfast support since Rising Stars’ start. They are MD Anderson, Impact Fluid Solutions, and Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. Business partners are key aspects of the Rising Stars design because the program places students with corporate sponsors to gain relevant, hands-on career experience in meaningful internships.

“We are blessed by the continued support from our corporate sponsors and community partners who provide meaningful internship opportunities and mentorship to prepare our students for careers after college,” Senior Director of Corporate Relations Mallory Peterson said.

Honoring the Second Graduating Class

But the real stars of the April 25 celebration and stole ceremony are the 23 Rising Stars seniors. These include 14 who comprise the program’s second graduating class and 9 who are enrolled in five-year master’s programs or are taking an extra year to complete their undergraduate degree.

Success Story: Paulino Bautista Graduates with Skills and Job Offer

The story of graduating first-generation student Paulino Bautista is a testament to how Rising Stars can benefit the student and the business partner. Bautista will go from intern to full-time employee with Corva AI, the Rising Stars partner company where the computer science major has interned since he was a freshman.

“I was so happy when I received the job offer from Corva,” Bautista said. “My job title will be junior pipeline developer, which will involve helping other application developers with coding.”

Corva provides more than 100 innovative applications solutions to take the guesswork out of data for its oil and gas clients. Bautista talked about the crucial hands-on experience he got with techniques and tools there.

“And I’m grateful for the mentorship from different co-workers,” he continued. “They taught me skills like different aspects of coding and how to behave professionally, and I learned the software programs I needed.”

The Rising Stars “star” wants to continue learning, adding certifications to his resume and one day become a full-stack developer.

Meanwhile, Bautista is graduating without any student debt. Rising Stars interns earn money to cover a significant portion of their UST tuition. As for corporate sponsors like Corva, they reap their own rewards by gaining a productive employee.

Reasons and Ways to Support

UST’s Rising Stars Internship Program boasts an astonishing student retention rate of 97% and academic excellence. Last fall, 70 Rising Stars made the Dean’s List. Driven by its success, the unstoppable program continues to expand its reach and impact, aiming to attract an additional 50 to 60 students for the 2024-25 academic year.

To RSVP for the April 25 celebration, click here.

Businesses desiring to join the Rising Stars mission by becoming win-win partners are invited to visit the UST campus and learn more about the program. Together, a brighter future is on the way.