Kimane Patterson is a freshman guard from Brooklyn, NY on the Men's Basketball team. Patterson has shined as a student-athlete and is being recognized as a finalist in the 2016 New York Space Community College Partnership Program. Kimane along with four other classmates were selected for the fellowship.
The 6'2" guard was selected amongst twenty six community college students from all over New York State through a very competitive process. The program aims to increase the number of New York community college students completing degrees and/or transferring to four-year colleges in STEM fields by facilitating summer research experiences for students at NASA Centers and other affiliates and providing fellows with spring and summer financial support.
FM Physics instructor Gilbert Ayuke spoke very highly of Kimane's efforts in the classroom. "I have known Kimane for about a semester now. He is in my calculus-based physics class this semester. As a student in class, Kimane is one of the best I have had the pleasure to teach. In the classroom Kimane is a complete contributor: he actively participates in discussions and problem solving sessions; his laboratory procedure is efficient yet thorough; he is a group leader in the lab. Kimane is conscientious about submitting assignments on time; he frequently gives assistance to his less able classmates; and displays a level of understanding and academic maturity that is uncommon among today's community college students."
Kimane was a little overwhelmed with his current workload when Gilbert approached him with this opportunity. "I am currently taking calculus and chemistry, on top of the physics so I already had a lot on my plate, said Patterson. Gilbert pulled me into his office on the application deadline day and really wanted me to submit the application and that's when everything fell into place and I was offered an interview. After the interview process I received an email stating that I was inducted into the program."
Kimane was able to do all of this while still maintaining his workload, playing basketball and going to daily practices and road trips. "I am really looking forward to the opportunity and the research that will be taking place next semester. The internship will begin in summer of 2016. I hope this opportunity leads me to my ultimate goal of becoming a mechanical engineer." Kimane is in his first semester at FM and has a bright future ahead not only on the basketball court, but in the classroom as well.
