STLCC and Ameren Drive Innovation in STEM
January 22, 2026
Posted by STLCC in News Resources
Multiyear donation will provide opportunities for North St. Louis County high school students to earn associate degrees at newly renamed Ameren STEM Academy
Ameren and St. Louis Community College Foundation today announced a transformative partnership to support science, technology, engineering and math education through the soon-to-be renamed Ameren STEM Academy on St. Louis Community College’s (STLCC) Florissant Valley campus.
The alliance is supported by an $800,000 multiyear donation from Ameren, building on the company’s ongoing commitment to education and workforce development. This follows a $1 million contribution that established the program in 2017, enabling high school students in North St. Louis County to earn their associate degree while still in high school or to complete college credits through dual credit or dual enrollment opportunities.
"Ameren’s significant investments and long-standing support of STLCC will directly benefit students considering a science, technology, engineering or mathematics pathway," said Jeff L. Pittman, Ph.D., chancellor of St. Louis Community College. "By expanding access to STEM education, we are helping to build a stronger, more innovative workforce for our region."
The Advanced Manufacturing Center at STLCC-Florissant Valley, which opened in 2025 and will house the Ameren STEM Academy, offers specialized classrooms for practical training in fabrication and technical trades, equipping students with essential skills while supporting local businesses and regional economic growth.
"Ameren is a proud supporter of the St. Louis Community College system and the role it plays in creating meaningful pathways to higher education and workforce accessibility for students across our region," said Gwen Mizell, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer at Ameren. "The Ameren STEM Academy will help empower students with the tools and opportunities necessary to pursue meaningful careers in STEM fields."
Students attending a participating North St. Louis County high school – including the Ferguson-Florissant, Hazelwood and Ritenour school districts – will earn at least 12 hours of college credit by their senior year, up to an associate degree. Each year, the program supports 50 students, where they are encouraged to explore energy careers through tours, presentations and connections with other STEM-related nonprofits.
Additional benefits for participants include:
- Coverage of textbooks, materials and supplies
- Access to STLCC student benefits, including U-PASS for MetroBus and MetroLink, student clubs, tutoring and instructional resources
- Mentorship from STLCC faculty and staff
"We are grateful for Ameren’s investment in our mission and for their commitment to strengthening education, workforce and community partnerships," said Jo-Ann Digman, executive director of the St. Louis Community College Foundation. "Ameren’s long-standing support helps ensure that students from across North St. Louis County have access to high-quality STEM education that can open career pathways they might not have previously considered."
The grant is funded by the Ameren charitable trust. It serves as a principal source of the company’s philanthropic investments in community projects and programs. Foundation grants are funded entirely from corporate earnings and are not charged to customers as a business expense.
The partnership is also featured in the January 21 edition of Town & Style magazine. You can read the full feature online.
About Ameren Corporation
St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.5 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000-square-mile area through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois rate-regulated utility subsidiaries. Ameren Illinois provides electric transmission and distribution service and natural gas distribution service. Ameren Missouri provides electric generation, transmission and distribution services, as well as natural gas distribution service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois develops, owns and operates rate-regulated regional electric transmission projects in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. For more information, visit Ameren.com, or follow us at @AmerenCorp, Facebook.com/AmerenCorp, or LinkedIn.com/company/Ameren.
