History
The NSF SOARS program was established in 1996 by Dr. Thomas Windham and Dr. Rick Anthes to provide authentic research experiences alongside world-class scientists and engineers in atmospheric and related sciences. NSF SOARS aims to increase participation in the Earth system sciences (ESS) by supporting students’ success in research, graduate education, postsecondary pathways, and leadership development.
Every inch, every stitch, of the NSF SOARS program was intentional.
Before the program launch, staff interviewed students about what they needed to succeed, and identified the key priorities:
NSF SOARS Protege Sharon Pérez-Suárez (seated) works with mentors Bette Otto-Bliesner (left) and Robert DeConto (right) during her second summer of the NSF SOARS program in 1997.
- Authentic research opportunities
- Multi-summer participation
- Competitive wages
- Graduate school tuition assistance
Today, NSF SOARS continues to use student feedback to refine and evolve the program.
NSF SOARS pushed me to try other things, to stretch my boundaries, and ultimately helped me realize what I really loved.
The program has been guided by its three pillars - research, mentoring, and community - since its founding. These pillars have guided the operations of NSF SOARS as it has grown over time. There have been six Program Leads since its inauguration. These individuals dedicated their expertise to the program’s direction and upheld the three pillars.
- 1996 - 2004: Thomas Windham
- 2004 - 2011: Raj Pandya
- 2011 - 2017: Rebecca Haacker
- 2017 - 2018: Rebecca Batchelor
- 2018 - 2018: Waleska Rivera-Shon (interim)
- 2019 - 2025: Kadidia Thiero
- 2025 - present: Marissa Vara
NSF director Rita Colwell (left), NSF SOARS program director Thomas Windham, and White House Office of Science and Technology Policy director John Marburger at the awards ceremony in Washington.
In December 2001, the NSF SOARS program received a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. NSF SOARS was one of twenty recipients of the sixth annual award, presented by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). Christopher Castro and Stephanie Rivale, Proteges from the inaugural NSF SOARS summer in 1996, nominated the program for the award. Learn more about the award in the 2002 NSF SOARS Spring Newsletter.
NSF SOARS has received several other awards since the Presidential Award.
- In 2002, NSF SOARS was awarded Best Academic Mentoring Program in the Westword Best of Denver.
- In 2019, NSF SOARS received an award at the STEM Mentoring Awards.
- In 2021, NSF SOARS received a Certificate of Appreciation for more than 20 years of dedicated service as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.
From 2005-2009, NSF SOARS helped establish RECESS (Research Experiences in Solid Earth Science for Students), a research experience hosted by EarthScope. RECESS offers students the chance to conduct geophysics research with a faculty mentor at universities across the country. This program builds on and expands the successful NSF SOARS model.
NSF SOARS has historically and continues to address national priorities:
- Strengthen U.S. scientific leadership by building national capacity in research and STEM training.
- Support innovation and global competitiveness through workforce development aligned with emerging challenges in the global economy.
- Ensure program relevance by integrating student and mentor feedback to keep training aligned with evolving STEM career pathways.
NSF SOARS opened up new doors for me. It showed me I didn’t have to stay in academia to have an impact. I moved into industry, where they need [more] voices. That was something I wouldn’t have realized without NSF SOARS.
A group of NSF SOARS Proteges and Alumni collaborate on a networking activity at the 20th Anniversary Celebration.
In 2016, NSF SOARS celebrated the 20th anniversary of its founding with a Symposium for the community. Welcoming alumni back to Boulder, this celebration featured a full weekend of activities and networking opportunities. Revisit the celebration with the 20th Anniversary Flickr Folder.
In 2024, NSF SOARS took part in an Impact Study, assessing how the program shaped Protege’s career pathways, mentoring experiences, and both personal and professional development. The results point to one clear conclusion: NSF SOARS changes lives. A few key highlights from the evaluation include:
- Confidence and community: The program has a lasting effect on its Proteges, helping them build confidence, resilience, and a genuine sense of community in STEM.
- Strong mentoring at the core: This impact is driven by NSF SOARS’ multi-dimensional mentoring model and a supportive learning community.
- Skills that carry into the workplace: NSF SOARS strengthens Proteges’ belief in their own abilities, helping them apply what they’ve learned to their jobs and careers.
Many participants call NSF SOARS a life-changing experience that shaped how they view themselves as scientists and fueled their confidence and passion for STEM.
NSF SOARS didn’t just change my career—it changed my family’s future. My younger sibling saw me go through NSF SOARS and was inspired to pursue a STEM degree. Now, they’re working in environmental science, and I see the same fire in them that NSF SOARS lit in me. It’s incredible to see how this program has shaped more than just one life.
NSF SOARS Program Lead, Marissa Vara (left), and NSF SOARS Coordinator, Vanessa Vincente (right), prepare to cut the celebratory cakes.
In 2026, NSF SOARS celebrated its 30th anniversary by bringing alumni back to Boulder to reconnect, meet the current Proteges, and reflect on three decades of the program. Alumni connected through group bonding activities, an impact panel, and a celebratory reception. Revisit the celebration with the 30th Anniversary Flickr Folder.
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has supported this program and its community since 1996. This program’s longevity and success are a testament to that commitment.
Thirty years ago, something shifted in the atmosphere of this field. A small but powerful decision was made to invest in people who had been overlooked. To open doors that had been closed. To say: this science needs you, and you belong here.