Department of Biology

Tellas was appointed director of SEP in 2006. Her dedication to, compassion for, and persistence in teaching reflect those characteristics of her mentor. Holland, who died in 1998, would be proud to see the scope to which Tellas has taken the program and the success of the student participants.

Earlier this year, Tellas, who is currently teaching high school biology in the Indianapolis area, was presented with the IU Bloomington Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Building Bridges Award which, according to the award website, “recognizes those . . . who capture Dr. King’s vision, spirit, and leadership in ways big and small—right here at IU and in our own community.” Consistent with her modesty about her role in the programs, Tellas was quick to note that it is a team effort and that she shares the honor with others equally committed.

“Without Mary Ann at the helm, I’m not sure the programs would be as successful and meaningful to the participants as they have been,” comments Jeremy Bennett, former associate director of the Holland programs. “For me, it’s most rewarding to see former participants matriculate to IU as undergraduates, especially those who further participate in formal research/scholarship programs. It is evidence that we’re accomplishing exactly what we set out to do.”

When grateful students who have completed one or more of the programs share their success stories with Tellas, she tells them that she’s proud of them—but not surprised.

Of the 117 SSRP participants from 2008-2011 and 2013-2015—104 responded to a recent survey. The following data is based on the 82 responders who had graduated from high school.

• • 100% enrolled or attended a post-secondary institution of higher learning (including 1 military)
  • 68% majored in a STEM discipline
  • 51% graduated with a 2-year or 4-year degree (the rest had yet to graduate at the time of the survey) and of the group of graduates, about 67% graduated with a degree in STEM
  • 8 students attended graduate or medical school

In addition, the inaugural ten RISE students, who graduated May 2017, are all attending post-secondary institutions of higher learning. Six are attending IU Bloomington. This group of students amassed over $783,000 in academic scholarships!

“I truly love this work,” says Tellas. “I can think of nothing else that I would rather do than to encourage young people of color that they are intelligent, creative, and innovative with unique skills and talents that are so needed in a field that would benefit so much from their contributions. It is truly an honor and a privilege to be associated with the mission and legacy begun by Dr. Holland—to open doors, to break down barriers, and to change the face of science.”