College of Arts and Sciences

Traducción en Español

Introduction

The 3 Pasos Program at California Baptist University (CBU) is a comprehensive STEM education initiative designed to support students at CBU and in the local community. As a Hispanic Serving Institution in Riverside, CA, we are committed to addressing disparities in STEM engagement by providing mentorship, academic support, and a sense of belonging for underrepresented students.

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3 Pasos reflects a journey through three key steps:

Our program incorporates culturally relevant teaching, collaborative research on real-world challenges, and a nurturing environment to empower students. By combining academic preparation with mentorship and a focus on belonging, we aim to create a more diverse, inclusive, and successful STEM community.

Through 3 Pasos, we strive to help students see their potential, bridge knowledge gaps, and thrive in STEM fields.

 

CBU Research Student

3 Pasos Research Program

At California Baptist University, our students are immersed in dynamic STEM research projects that showcase their creativity, curiosity, and commitment to tackling real-world challenges. With mentorship at the heart of the 3 Pasos program, our project leaders will not only share their groundbreaking work with bridge students but also foster a collaborative and hands-on learning environment. By guiding students through the research process and presenting their findings, they aim to ignite a passion for discovery and inspire the next generation of STEM innovators.

Learn More About 3 Pasos Research

 

3 Pasos Summer Bridge Program

Join us at California Baptist University for an exciting Summer Bridge Program that opens the world of STEM to high school students.

Why Join the 3 Pasos Program?
Participants will benefit from:

  • Expert-Led Lectures: Explore the core principles of engineering, mathematics, physics, and aviation with skilled faculty.
  • Practical Experience: Participate in hands-on projects, including wind tunnel experiments and state-of-the-art flight simulations.
  • Research Engagement: Work alongside student cohorts to tackle research challenges and discover the collaborative nature of STEM.
  • Service-Oriented Projects: Apply STEM knowledge to real-world problems, combining innovation with community impact.

Focused Mentorship: Gain insight and guidance from experienced mentors who will help you explore professional STEM opportunities.

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 Summer Bridge CBU Students

 

Quick Information

Duration 3 Weeks from June 2 to June 19, 2025
Schedule Monday - Thursday, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location California Baptist University, 8432 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92504
Application Deadline April 30, 2025
Lunch Students need to bring their own lunches
Application Link Apply Here!

Meet Our Faculty

Elisabeth Murillo, Ed.D.

Associate Professor - Aviation Science

Dr. Elisabeth Salomón Murillo has been at California Baptist since 2014. She holds a Bachelor of Aviation Flight from Westminster College, a Masters in Commercial Aviation from Delta State University, and a Doctorate of Education with a concentration in Higher Education from Concordia University. She came to CBU after working in the aviation industry as a flight instructor and pilot for several small businesses. Elisabeth earned her first flight certificate in 2004 and has her Certified Flight Instructor Certificate and Instrument Instructor Rating, as well as an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate and an Aircraft Dispatch Certificate. Her real-world experience has helped her teach advanced concepts in the Aviation Flight, Management, and Dispatch programs at CBU. She has a passion for helping students realize and reach their potential.

Mario Oyanader, Ph.D.

Professor - Chemical Engineering

Dr. Mario Oyanader holds a B.S. in Civil and Chemical Engineering, an M.S. in Information Systems, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering. He is currently a Professor in the Chemical Engineering program at California Baptist University, having previously taught at Geneva College and Tennessee Technological University. He has also served as the Chemical Engineering Department Head at Northern Catholic University. His teaching focuses on subjects like Transport Phenomena and Safety and Process Design, using methods such as Active Learning and Peer Training.

Dr. Oyanader’s research focuses on Applied Environmental Engineering, Electro-Bio-molecular Treatment, and Computational Modeling. His work addresses issues like water decontamination and medical device design. As Principal Investigator of the NSF-funded 3 Pasos program, Dr. Oyanader is passionate about mentoring and guiding students towards excellence.

Michael Sill, Ph.D.

Professor of Mathematics

Dr. Michael Sill is a Professor of Mathematics at California Baptist University and a Co-Principal Investigator of the NSF-funded 3 Pasos program. He earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of California, Riverside, specializing in metric spaces, distance functions and their applications. Dr. Sill is passionate about mentoring students, fostering mathematical reasoning, and creating opportunities for student success in mathematics. His research spans differential geometry, topology, and STEM education.

Beyond his work at CBU, Dr. Sill has collaborated with the Riverside County Office of Education since 2019 on Mathematical Reasoning with Connections (MRWC) and Making Connections in Mathematics (MCM), supporting both teachers and students in strengthening mathematical understanding.