Art Harper Saturday Academy

Academy Overview

Stevens Institute of Technology envisions a world in which STEM education is fully accessible to all who wish to pursue it. In response to this vision, the Art Harper Saturday Academy (AHSA) was established in 2019 to encourage and inspire high school students interested in pursuing postsecondary education and careers in STEM-related fields.
 
AHSA is a multi-year program that engages high school students who may not have previously considered a future in STEM but demonstrate the potential to master the academic skills necessary to succeed in these disciplines. Through a structured and supportive learning environment, the Academy equips students with the tools, confidence, and exposure needed to pursue STEM as a career pathway.
 
The core elements of the Academy are a math course, project design course, and college prep workshops. In addition, students receive academic support to improve their high school mathematics skills, gain exposure to various STEM fields, and are provided with opportunities for practical applications of their academic skills. The Academy takes place on the Stevens campus, which allows participants to experience a college environment through enjoying our student dining facilities and attending some campus events.

Application Requirements and Process

We seek students with a demonstrated interest in a STEM field and a desire for hands-on project-based learning.   In order to be eligible, applicants must also:

• be in their sophomore year of high school 

• have completed Algebra I prior to the program start date

• provide a current high school transcript

• live in or attend a school in a community with limited access to educational resources

 In addition, students must submit the following:  

• online application

• current high school transcript 

• recommendation form from a high school teacher or school counselor

People of all identities are welcome to participate. Stevens does not discriminate against any person on the basis of sex, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or gender expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.

The application for the 2025 - 2026 academic year is now closed.

Multi-year Program Commitment

The Art Harper Saturday Academy will recruit 30 students from neighboring communities and organizations to participate in the program for 12 Saturdays per academic year (approximately 6 Saturdays per semester). If accepted, students are asked to commit to participate in the academy for at least one school year. Once enrolled in the academy, students will have the opportunity to remain in the program from their sophomore through senior year of high school, further developing their STEM skillset and becoming a part of the Stevens community.

About Art Harper

“No one who is successful does it alone, you need help along the way… and for me it all started at Stevens.”
-Art Harper

Arthur H. Harper, affectionately known as “Art,” was born in Trenton, New Jersey. His love of chemistry led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology.  After graduating in 1978, he began a successful 20+ year career at General Electric (GE), where he rose to the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Equipment Services Division. After leaving GE, Harper co-founded GenNx360 Capital Partners, a private equity buyout firm, which he managed until he passed away in September 2017.

Harper was a dedicated philanthropist with a strong desire to expand educational opportunities for students facing financial and educational barriers. He served on the boards of nonprofit organizations, donated to numerous charities, and funded two scholarships at Stevens. In 2017, Art, in collaboration with his friend Nate Davis ’76 and other Stevens alumni, helped inspire the creation of the Stevens ACES (Accessing Careers in Engineering and Science) program. Stevens ACES engages students with strong academic potential who may have limited access to STEM resources, supporting their exploration of college pathways and advancement toward STEM degrees.

The Art Harper Saturday Academy (AHSA) was established in 2019 to honor Art Harper’s commitment to expanding educational access for students facing financial and educational barriers. With the support of Linda Harper and Nate Davis, AHSA encourages students who may have had limited exposure to STEM fields to explore their interests and provides resources to help them succeed academically and professionally.