Empowering Autistic Students in Engineering at the University of Houston
The STEM Navigators Program at the University of Houston’s Cullen College of Engineering supports engineering students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by fostering confidence, community, and academic success.
An extension of UH’s Program for Supporting and Mentoring Students with Autism (PSMSA), this initiative is coordinated by Dr. Byron Ross (College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences) and Dr. Daiane Polesello (Human Resource Development – Cullen College of Engineering), who bring together expertise in communication, human development, and inclusive education.
What the Program Offers
Students interested in joining the program begin by connecting with the DART Center, which refers them to the Autism Mentoring Program. Once enrolled, students are paired with peers who serve as mentors. These mentor-mentee pairs collaborate to build skills in three key areas:
Organization
- Tracking deadlines
- Improving calendar use
- Strengthening time‑management habits
Personal Responsibility
- Practicing self-advocacy
- Communicating effectively with peers, faculty, and campus offices
- Understanding others’ perspectives and expectations
Social Engagement
- Developing comfortable social interactions
- Exploring on-campus engagement opportunities
- Building a sense of belonging in the UH community
Special thanks to Fluor Corporation for their gift of $45,000 to fund our program this semester.
Program Structure
Goal Setting
Mentors and mentees work together to define achievable goals each semester.
Weekly Meetings
Pairs meet for at least 3 hours per week to build skills, track progress, and address challenges.
Monthly Group Sessions
All participants join a faculty-led social skills workshop designed to strengthen communication and community support.
End‑of‑Semester Outings
Each semester concludes with a group social event in the Greater Houston area—fun, community-building, and inclusive.
Community Partnerships
STEM Navigators collaborates with local organizations to enhance student support:
- Hope For Three — Secures grant funding and mentor stipends
- 18 and Beyond — Provides transportation to events and internship opportunities
These partnerships expand students’ access to resources, experiences, and community connections.
How You Can Help
Become a Mentor
UH students interested in mentoring students with ASD can apply using the form HERE.
Program coordinators will follow up with the next steps.
Partner or Donate
Organizations and supporters can help sustain this impactful program.
For donation details, contact Dr. Daiane Polesello at dpolesello [at] uh.edu (dpolesello[at]uh[dot]edu).