Broadening Participation in STEM Higher Education: A Closer Look at Best Practices in Diversity

Please join us on a Google+ Hangout On-Air on broadening participation in STEM Higher Education. Despite making up almost half of the U.S. Workforce, women are vastly underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) jobs and among STEM degrees. Similarly, African-Americans, American Indians and Hispanics between 18-24 account for 34% of the population, but earn only 12% of undergraduate degrees in engineering. The fact that more than half of the nation’s children are expected to be part of a minority race or group by 2020 and adults by 2040, engaging these populations in the STEM workforce is imperative to our nation’s future.

Increasing participation among these underrepresented groups continues to be a major focus of STEM initiatives in Higher Education. Many institutions are fundamentally rethinking how they engage and retain students from diverse backgrounds in STEM fields. Innovations focus on strategic K-12 outreach, employment pathways, course redesign, mentoring, peer support, and technology implementation.

On June 16th, STEMconnector’s STEM Higher Education Council (SHEC) will host a virtual town hall featuring “boundary-breaking” leaders in engaging students from all backgrounds in the STEM economy. Focus will be on innovative higher education models that are engaging underrepresented minorities and women in STEM Fields. Confirmed speakers include:

Norfolk State University, Dr. Sandra DeLoatch, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Taft College, Dr. Dena Maloney, Superintendent-President
Maricopa Community College, Dr. Randy Kimmens, Associate Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development
LeMont Scott Group, Ben Minnifield, Strategic Business Development Partner
Florida International University, Dr. Laird Kramer, Founding Director of the STEM Transformation Institute
Apollo Education Group, Dr. Kirsten Hoyt, Academic Dean of the College of Information Systems and Technology
University of Massachusetts-Boston, Dr. Andrew Grosovsky, Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics and Marshall Milner, Executive Director Science Training Programs
Des Moines Area Community College, Rob Denson, President, and SHEC Chair