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UNCF: Building the STEM Pipeline One Student at a Time October 31, 2012. The Challenge. During the next 10 to 15 years, U.S. STEM demand across most industries will outpace supply due to an aging, underprepared, and diminishing workforce;
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UNCF: Building the STEM Pipeline One Student at a Time October 31, 2012
The Challenge • During the next 10 to 15 years, U.S. STEM demand across most industries will outpace supply due to an aging, underprepared, and diminishing workforce; • Our nation lacks a coordinated focused effort to produce a strong pipeline of diverse, highly skilled STEM workers; • Minorities, particularly African Americans, are vastly underrepresented in STEM due to inadequate foundational skills in middle and high school, lack of financial resources for college, and low awareness of/interest in STEM and related careers
The Opportunity • Nearly 70% of growth in young adults (ages 18-24) is among members of a minority group • By 2014, 38% of young adults (ages 18-24) will be people of color • In STEM fields, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are ahead of the nation’s larger, wealthier majority institutions in producing African American graduates • 40 percent in biology, math, computer, and health sciences • 23 percent of all engineers
The Capacity • With access to 60,000 students 39 historically black college campuses, UNCF is uniquely positioned to help advance the dialogue on minority STEM education and employment. • UNCF has administered over 80 STEM programs (scholarships, internships & fellowships) including 25 current programs, which will provide awards in excess of $25 million this year alone. • UNCF is building minority presence in STEM through major initiatives, including the $33 million UNCF/Merck Science Initiative—a biomedical science program, and the $1.6 billion Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program, which serves African-American, Hispanic American, American Indian/Alaska Native and Asian Pacific Islander students, alone has produced more than 1,300 STEM graduates in the last 7 years. Currently 470 graduate GMS Scholars are pursuing advanced degrees in STEM fields.
Partnership Vision • Increase awareness among minorities about career opportunities in the science industry. • Establish the UNCF/Sanford-Burnham at Lake NonaScholars Program to encourage and prepare more minorities to pursue careers in science. • Collaborate with minority associations to develop a national consortium of likeminded partners to collaboratively address the shortage of minority professionals in the industry.
The UNCF/Sanford Burnham Institute Scholars Program Key Elements: Internships (8-10 weeks) - Provide Sanford-Burnham at Lake Nona Scholars with meaningful development opportunities to further their interest in the science industry and prepare them for entry and successful careers. Scholarships – Provide incentives for entering the field and remove the financial barrier to producing graduates by providing scholarships for minority students majoring in science-related disciplines. Mentoring – Provide mentors from within the Sanford-Burnham Institute at Lake Nona to build relationships and provide encouragement as well as professional and academic support.
The UNCF/Sanford-Burnham Institute at Lake Nona Internship Program • UNCF will identify target recruiting high schools in collaboration with the Sanford-Burnham Institute at Lake Nona. • Students apply in their high school senior year and intern with the Sanford-Burnham Institute at Lake Nona in the summer at the end of their freshman year. • Students will apply online through UNCF’s website using an electronic application developed specifically for the Sanford-Burnham Institute at Lake Nona. • Applicants will be screened by UNCF with a final candidate pool presented to the Sanford-Burnham Institute at Lake Nona for selection.
The UNCF/Sanford-Burnham Institute Scholars ProgramSelection Criteria • Be a High School senior • Student should be majoring in biology, chemistry, physiology, or a similar major with a specific focus in biomedical science. • GPA of at least 3.2. • Students should have taken at least 1 semester of wet lab courses appropriate to their major prior to start of the internship. Enrollment in the lab course at the time of award is acceptable. • Demonstrate a commitment to consider the Sanford-Burnham Institute at Lake Nona as a potential career objective. • Provide a letter of recommendation; • Have a one-page personal statement of career goals and specifically why they are considering the Sanford-Burnham Institute at Lake Nona program. • Complete an application describing extracurricular activities, honors and awards, community service and interests outside their major.
The UNCF/Sanford-Burnham Institute ProgramScholarships/Internships • UNCF/Sanford-Burnham Institute at Lake Nona Program Scholars will receive renewable, last dollar scholarships of up to $25,000 providing the student continues to meet identified eligibility criteria. • Student will also receive a paid summer internship at the Sanford-Burnham Institute for four years.
Benefits to STEM Pipleline Program • A tailored diversity solution that supports pipeline development • Access to a talent pool of minority students majoring in its targeted fields of study • Competitive advantage in seeking to recruit the best talent • Proven success – 72% of job offers extended accepted by students on average
