Peter Mellado, the new executive director of Great Minds in STEM (GMiS), shared an open letter on social media this week expressing his hope for increased support of the organization.
He emphasized that such support would enable GMiS to expand its programs and services, ensuring that the United States has a competitive and STEM-competent technical workforce for the future.
Mellado advocates for developing a homegrown talent pool, particularly among groups representing the nation’s fastest-growing yet most underserved communities.
He is optimistic that America’s innovation engine will remain strong if the next generation of STEM workers can fill the gaps left by retiring baby boomers.
Mellado encouraged everyone to advocate for the importance of high school graduation and emphasized that post-secondary degrees in technical fields are attainable. These degrees can open numerous doors to opportunities.
Additionally, Mellado emphasized the need to foster multifaceted partnerships with educational institutions to break down barriers that hinder too many American students from accessing the careers the economy requires.
Great Minds in STEM advocates for the career readiness of all populations in STEM, equipping them with the 21st-century skills necessary to become globally competitive leaders and innovators.
GMiS’s efforts include pre-college outreach and awareness, as well as financial and career development support for college students and professional recognition to highlight role models who inspire the next generation of STEM professionals.
In February 2025, Josué J. Lopez expressed his gratitude to Mellado for presenting him with the 2025 GEM National Consortium Outstanding Young Alumnus Award during the 39th annual BEYA STEM Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.
Lopez was recognized for his achievements as a technologist, entrepreneur, deep-tech investor, and nonprofit advisor.
The BEYA STEM Conference attracts leaders in STEM and organizations, including the National GEM Consortium.
This nearly fifty-year-old graduate fellowship has empowered future STEM leaders to realize their full potential, driving global innovation and maximizing social and economic impact.
GEM partially funded Lopez’s PhD, which paved the way for him to found his first company, Kyber Photonics, with support from Activate and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
“This is a perfect example of how investing in STEM talent and research leads to valuable innovation and pays dividends over time,” Lopez wrote.
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