Providing Pathways and Closing the STEM Gap

POSTED ON Jun 30, 2023

The U.S. Department of Education released a statement Thursday about the Supreme Court decision on college affirmative action programs. According to Secretary Miguel Cardona, the agency would continue to promote diversity in education and was committed to equal access and educational opportunity for all students. (Photo credit: ShutterStockStudio, Shutterstock.com)

In one of the most recent reports from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), Hispanic, Black, and American Indian or Alaska Native persons accounted for 37% of the U.S. population ages 18–34 years in 2021 and 26% of science and engineering bachelor’s, 24% of science and engineering master’s, and 16% of science ad engineering doctoral degrees earned in 2020.

At the associate’s level, Hispanic students achieved a higher share of science ad engineering degrees in 2020 (32%) than the Hispanic percentage of the college-age population (22%).

Hispanic workers represented 15% of the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce in 2021, and Asian and Black workers were 10% and 9%, respectively.

“I want to send a message to all aspiring students, especially Black, Latino, Asian American, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and other students from underserved communities: we see you and need you,” Cardona said in the education department statement issued Thursday. “Our colleges and our country cannot thrive and compete in the 21st century without your talent, ingenuity, perseverance, and ambition.” 

 

In 2021. American Indians and Alaska Natives comprised less than 1% of the U.S. population and STEM workforce. Underrepresented minorities—Hispanic, Black, and American Indian or Alaska Native individuals—made up a higher share of the skilled technical workforce (32%) in 2021 than workers employed in STEM occupations with at least a bachelor’s degree (16%).

“To our higher education leaders reviewing the decision: now is not the time to lessen your commitment to campus communities that reflect the rich diversity of this nation,” Cardona continued. “We will continue working with you to raise the bar for inclusivity and work to support students of color better because the inequities in higher education access and outcomes remain unacceptable.”

Last fall, Sarah Frasca spoke to Shawn Fagan, an assistant dean of undergraduate studies in the College of Engineering at Temple University, about the institution’s affiliation with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and the significance of joining the SHPE Academic Partnership Council.

In the interview, the dean said Temple University’s College of Engineering is one of 72 SHPE Academic Partnership Council engineering institutions. The initiative is a branch of SHPE that aims to pull in academic partnerships or institutions to provide a pathway for Hispanic and Latinx students to pursue engineering degrees.

“Imagery is so important for students from underrepresented populations because often they may not see themselves or people that look like them in the engineering field and workforce, so it’s essential for all students, especially those from underrepresented populations, to feel welcomed and supported,” he told Frasca.

The council helps develop pre-college programs and funding opportunities to help ease or eliminate financial barriers to allow students who otherwise may not be able to afford the cost associated with pre-college STEM programs to participate in them. The 70 or so engineering schools/colleges network also shares best practices and high-impact programs to serve the local and regional Hispanic and Latino communities. Read the full interview here.