It’s a fact that underrepresented professionals who work in STEM fields enjoy significant opportunities to engage in new discoveries and innovations on a global scale. INSIGHT Into Diversity created the Inspiring Programs in STEM Award to recognize colleges, universities, and organizations for programs that are improving access to STEM fields for students from underrepresented groups.
This award is being presented to institutions whose programs inspire a new generation of young people to consider STEM careers as well as support working professionals in these fields. These remarkable initiatives profiled in the following pages are making a significant difference by providing mentoring, academic and professional support, hands-on activities, research opportunities, and more. INSIGHT Into Diversity is not responsible for inaccurate information provided in award nominations.
Horace G. McDonell Science Research Fellowship Program
Adelphi University
College of Arts and Sciences
Established with funding from Adelphi alumnus Horace G. McDonell Jr. and awarded annually, these science research fellowships provide top female students in biology, chemistry, and physics the opportunity to spend 10 weeks in the summer conducting original research in Adelphi labs. The program focuses on recruiting and advancing the career prospects of women in STEM — typically junior undergraduates. Students receive a $4,000 stipend while working with a faculty mentor to gain hands-on lab experience.
Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP)
Albany Medical College
School of Medicine
STEP is a twice-weekly program for underrepresented seventh- through 12th-grade students. Wednesday sessions emphasize transactional skills, career exploration, and self-management in preparation for college and include hands-on activities such as clinical case study debates. Saturday sessions focus on academic instruction to prepare for the rigors of college STEM courses. Students take medical and engineering classes and participate in a mini medical-education curriculum. They also learn about self-care and how to prevent burnout and stress while in college.
STEM Summer Bridge Program
Auburn University
College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM)
COSAM’s STEM Summer Bridge Program offers academic, social, and financial support for disadvantaged first-year students. Participants take gateway STEM courses during the four-week program and attend workshops focused on communicating with faculty, career exploration, and understanding their identity as an underrepresented student. Students are awarded a scholarship provided they continue participating in academic enrichment activities with their cohort throughout the academic year; these activities include dedicated study hours as well as group and individual mentoring sessions.
Collegiate Science and Technology
Entry Program (CSTEP)
Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), City University of New York
CSTEP strives to increase the recruitment and retention of underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students in STEM and healthcare-related disciplines. The program recruits 200 students annually to participate in a summer research methods workshop as well as weekly seminars. Students then partner with faculty members conducting research in their area of interest and work with them to complete and present a project at BMCC’s Annual Research Symposium.
Bucknell STEM Scholars Program
Bucknell University (BU)
The Bucknell STEM Scholars Program consists of two consecutive summer research experiences on BU’s campus. Each year, 14 incoming STEM majors are selected for this competitive program, initially spending five weeks conducting research alongside BU faculty. Following the successful completion of their freshman year, they are invited to return for a 10-week summer project. BU actively recruits women, students of color, and those who are first-generation to apply for the program. Participants are provided on-campus housing and stipends.
Cal Poly Pomona Women in Engineering (CPP WE)
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona)
College of Engineering
Created to address the shortage of women in engineering, CPP WE strives to engage K-12 girls; recruit, retain, and graduate female students; and offer a supportive network. Events such as Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day and E-Girl provide hands-on activities, lab tours, and networking opportunities for K-12 youth. The program promotes a supportive community for Cal Poly Pomona students and faculty through activities such as WE Chats, which allow women to connect, discuss their career paths and challenges, and offer advice.
Creative Coding
California State University, Fullerton (CSUF)
College of Engineering and Computer Science
The Association for Computing Machinery-Women in Computing student club at CSUF attracts young girls to STEM fields by partnering with the Girl Scouts of Orange County. Together, they host Creative Coding events where Girl Scouts in fourth through eighth grade complete fun, hands-on activities designed by student volunteers. This year, the girls created artwork, stories, and animations with code.
STEM Expo
California State University, Fullerton (CSUF)
College of Engineering and Computer Science
The Stem Expo is a partnership between the Girl Scouts of Orange County and the Association for Computing Machinery-Women in Computing student group at CSUF. The event allows Girl Scouts in grades four through 12 to earn their “My STEM Life” badge by participating in hands-on activities involving 3D printing, physics, environmental engineering, nursing simulation, and more.
Women in Computer Science and Engineering (WiCSE)
California State University, Fullerton (CSUF)
College of Engineering and Computer Science
The WiCSE program at CSUF gives female freshmen and transfer students in the College of Engineering and Computer Science the opportunity to attend panel discussions and industry tours. WiCSE also provides these students with support and professional development via career services.
FOCUS
Carleton College
Carleton selects incoming STEM majors who are low-income, first-generation, or from groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM to participate in the FOCUS program, which provides community, academic, and support opportunities. Members work together in a first-year seminar as well as a two-year FOCUS Colloquium course. They conduct research projects, receive academic advising, and participate in peer mentoring and work-study programs. FOCUS has recently begun to emphasize “teaching as learning,” encouraging students to teach others and inspire them to persist in STEM through work in the local community and on campus.
Programs for Educational Enrichment and Retention (PEER) and Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)
Clemson University
College of Engineering, Computing, and Applied Science
The mission of PEER and WISE is to recruit, educate, and retain underrepresented populations in STEM via support provided by Clemson. PEER emphasizes the recruitment of African Americans, while WISE focuses on women. Through mentoring, workshops, speakers, career planning and preparation, networking opportunities, counseling, research opportunities, and social, professional, and community development, both programs strive to increase diversity in science and engineering.
Columbia Engineering Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE)
Columbia University
Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science
SHAPE is designed to develop New York high school students’ interest and skills in engineering — a subject that is not offered in the city’s public schools. The program takes place in three-week sessions, during which students complete college-level courses in robotics, entrepreneurship, and other fields. They also work with a group of Columbia undergraduate engineering students who offer guidance on how to prepare for college. Twenty percent of SHAPE participants are eligible for full-tuition scholarships.
Science Department Research Institute
Concordia University, St. Paul
College of Health and Science
The Science Department Research Institute allows faculty and students to collaborate on a long-term ongoing research question. It is built on three core programs involving neuronal tissue engineering, liver cancer, and staph aureus resistance and toxin production. As part of the research process, students work individually with a mentor to hone their problem-solving skills. Biology majors must participate, but any student can get involved regardless of academic standing. The institute focuses on recruiting women and people from underrepresented groups.
STEMInsight.org
Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD)
Developed with support from the Dallas/North Texas STEM Degree Accelerator Project, administered by Educate Texas, and led by DCCCD, STEMInsight.org is an online portal that compiles resources to help meet the region’s growing demand for a skilled STEM workforce. It helps students navigate the pathway from elementary school to STEM careers, with information including the average starting salary, required level of education, and projected job growth for specific fields. The site also provides resources for educators and professionals.
Bachelor of Science in Biology
East Georgia State College (EGSC)
School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
EGSC tripled the number of applicants to its bachelor of science in biology degree program between 2016 and 2018 due to recruitment efforts aimed at women and students of color. Starting in fall 2016, the biology department began hosting recruitment events at local underserved high schools. Now, half of new applicants to EGSC’s undergraduate biology program are women of color. Additionally, research and internship opportunities for these students have helped boost their success — 50 percent of the program’s graduates are women and nearly 30 percent are women of color.
AGORA Program
Fayetteville State University (FSU)
Center for Defense and Homeland Security
Designed to motivate underrepresented high school students to study STEM, the AGORA Program helps them gain the technical skills necessary to enter higher education and cybersecurity careers. Participants train in state-of-the-art classrooms and labs at FSU — a historically black college — with sessions held once a month on Saturdays. They learn about math, coding, robotics, cybersecurity, and more and have the opportunity to participate in internships and competitions — with the opportunity to win scholarships — as well as conduct research.
organs in the HWCOM anatomy lab at FIU.
Florida Science Training and Research (FSTAR) Fellowship
Florida International University (FIU)
Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (HWCOM)
The FSTAR fellowship provides four years of guidance and support for underrepresented students who aspire to healthcare careers. Twenty college sophomores are selected for the program annually, which includes an eight-week summer experience on HWCOM’s campus and continuous academic enrichment, advising, and mentoring services during their first year of medical or graduate school. FSTAR fellows are selected from FIU as well as other Minority-Serving Institutions in the Miami area.
STEM-UP Network
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
The STEM-UP Network is a community that provides professional women in STEM with strategies and relationships to help them thrive and advance in their careers. In addition to access to leadership development, mentorship, networking events, and opportunities for collaboration, the initiative offers support around work-life balance, communication and negotiation skills, and self-advocacy. STEM-UP also works with organizations to provide analyses of policies and practices around gender equity and assist with and measure the impact of internal capacity-building initiatives.
Pathways into Dentistry Pipeline Program
Harvard University
School of Dental Medicine (HSDM)
Local middle and high school students visit HSDM’s campus for an introduction to the college experience and the field of dental medicine through the Pathways into Dentistry pipeline program, which specifically targets those who are low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented. It includes information sessions on the college admissions process and a panel discussion with members of HSDM’s diversity and inclusion fellowship program about what it takes to succeed in a highly selective STEM program. Attendees also perform hands-on laboratory work and learn about the mouth-to-body connection.
STEM-UP Academy
Hinds Community College – Utica Campus (Hinds CC Utica)
Natural Science Division
The goal of the STEM-UP Academy is to encourage students majoring in STEM at Hinds CC Utica to pursue four-year degrees upon graduation. Recruitment for the program begins at the high school level; underserved 11th- and 12th-grade students who excel in STEM are invited to participate in two summer learning experiences. Those who take part in either program and go on to enroll and major in a STEM discipline at Hinds CC Utica receive assistance with securing internships, visiting four-year institutions, and learning about career opportunities.
Providing Opportunities for Mathematics and Science Enrichment (PROMISE)
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA)
PROMISE is a STEM pipeline program aimed at gifted seventh through ninth graders from disadvantaged backgrounds. Its many offerings include summer camps on IMSA’s campus, test preparation and tutoring assistance, and a plethora of hands-on learning experiences meant to spark curiosity and passion for STEM education. IMSA students who have previously participated in PROMISE often serve as mentors, tutors, and role models for students currently in the program.
Science Bound
Iowa State University (ISU)
School of Education
Science Bound is designed to encourage young people to study STEM in college. Underrepresented students in eighth through 12th grade are recruited from area school districts. They commit to a five-year program of participation in STEM learning experiences and a mentoring partnership with both ISU and Science Bound educators and STEM professionals. Program leaders meet with participants on ISU’s campus three times a year to engage them in STEM activities and build their college aspirations.
Kansas State Office for the Advancement of Women in Science and Engineering (KAWSE)
Kansas State University (KSU)
KAWSE facilitates 40-plus events designed to enrich the lives of women in STEM. Programming includes workshops, networking, and professional development and spans all age groups — from middle school girls to faculty members. Through the GROW and EXCITE programs, middle schoolers learn about STEM fields and careers, participate in activities, and tour KSU’s campus. Additionally, the SUCCEED program offers opportunities for undergraduate and graduate STEM students to mentor young girls, network with faculty and professionals, and more.
School of Digital Sciences (DSCI)
Kent State University (KSU)
College of Communication and Information
Through DSCI, current KSU students gain foundational knowledge in digital technologies — from web programming to hardware and software — as well as the opportunity to specialize in one or two areas. KSU’s Diversity Scholarship Inventory introduces them to numerous scholarship opportunities, both at KSU and beyond, and an annual career expo connects them with internship and job experiences. DSCI recruits prospective students by hosting coding camps for youth from local underserved school districts and nonprofit educational programs.
KU Bringing Experience About Research in Summer (KU BEARS)
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (KU)
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
KU BEARS supports faculty-student research pairs over the summer, helping undergraduates develop research skills while providing faculty with paid student assistants. The program is open to all faculty members — tenured, tenure-track, and adjunct — and to KU freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. Professors are encouraged to recruit underrepresented students to their research teams. Participants live on campus for free for the duration of the program.
Women in Technology and Science (WITS) Conference
Limestone College
The goal of Limestone College’s annual WITS Conference.— held every spring — is to recruit young women from North and South Carolina to its campus to study STEM. Approximately 150 high school students attend each year, participating in workshops facilitated by female STEM majors. The conference always features a keynote speech by a successful woman working in STEM; past speakers have included employees at NASA and the National Security Agency. All attendees are automatically eligible to receive up to $8,000 per year in tuition assistance should they enroll at Limestone.
Office of Strategic Initiatives
Louisiana State University (LSU)
The LSU Office of Strategic Initiatives’ student support services include a nationally recognized Upward Bound program, which won the prestigious Teaching Through Technology award from the National Science Foundation for introducing technologies, including 3D printers and drones, to disadvantaged high school students. The office also offers unique programs for women and students of color, such as “success courses” that address issues including imposter syndrome and financial literacy. Ninety percent of women and 84 percent of African Americans who have participated in its programs have graduated within six years.
Engineers in the Lead (E-Lead)
Marquette University
Opus College of Engineering
E-Lead is a three-year program that seeks to develop student leaders who have the ability to motivate people and organizations as well as possess technical expertise in engineering. Open to all sophomores, the program takes students through a curriculum rooted in Jesuit tradition that focuses on leading oneself, leading with others, and leading technology and innovation. E-Lead provides students the opportunity to interact with industry leaders and participate in an engineering internship or research project. Upon completion of the program, students earn a concentration in engineering leadership.
Multicultural Apprenticeship Program (MAP)
Michigan State University
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR)
MAP accepts diverse, high-performing 10th- and 11th-grade students from across the country for a four-week summer experience in which they perform real agricultural research alongside CANR faculty and staff mentors. Participants spend up to 40 hours each week conducting research in the field or lab and are compensated with stipends. In addition, they attend seminars and workshops about financial literacy and saving for college, agricultural career opportunities across sectors, and the college admissions process.
Biology Mentorship Program
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
College of Science and Technology
Aimed at increasing the success of underrepresented students majoring in biology, the Biology Mentorship Program at Millersville provides academic and social support via peer mentoring and faculty guidance. Peer mentors are also underrepresented students who have demonstrated success in the major. The program includes assistance with coursework, social events, and twice monthly meetings where students, mentors, and guests share a meal and engage in activities to help participants develop the skills to succeed in biology.
Nordson STEM Learning Center
MiraCosta College
School of Mathematics and Sciences
Nordson STEM Learning Center serves as a hub for all things STEM. It offers regular workshops on topics such as efficient-reading and note-taking techniques, career seminars with successful scientists, and drop-in counseling services. During the 2018 spring semester, counselors in the center worked with students to create educational plans — taking into consideration class schedules, credits, and other areas — to help them achieve their STEM goals. Through the center, students can also attend faculty discussions on topical science issues and lead STEM activities for K-12 students and their families.
Global Women in STEM and Policy
Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles (MSMU)
Department of Biological Sciences
The Global Women in STEM and Policy undergraduate research training program is designed to increase the success of underrepresented women in STEM fields at MSMU. The program aims to train participants in research methodologies, to facilitate opportunities for them to gain global fieldwork experience and analyze and present their results, and to develop leadership and teamwork skills. Participants engage in interdisciplinary coursework and develop skills in laboratory research and survey methodology as well as learn about healthcare access in the U.S. and Peru.
Solving the Equality Equation: Hands-On Workshops in STEM
National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC)
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Funded by the Meridian Society, this project facilitates STEM workshops hosted by NCERC that provide insights into the fermentation process, the benefits of biofuels, and careers in bio-economy. NCERC partners with the nonprofit organization Coordinated Youth and Human Services to host a workshop for at-risk youth who have emotional, learning, or intellectual disabilities. Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois also collaborates with the center to host STEM workshops. Youth in both events tour NCERC’s facility and learn about fermentation.
Verizon Innovative Learning (VIL) Minority Male Program
North Carolina Central University (NCCU)
College of Arts and Sciences
The VIL Minority Male Program at NCCU annually works to help 100 underrepresented male students in sixth through eighth grade develop STEM and entrepreneurial skills. During a three-week summer camp at NCCU and after-school sessions during the academic year, participants learn about the role science and technology play in supporting a sustainable planet. Lessons include hands-on experiments and field trips — often led by male employees from underrepresented groups — to companies that are representative of Durham’s large STEM workforce.
Aspiring DOctors Precollege Program
Ohio University
Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
The Aspiring DOctors Precollege Program at Ohio University is designed to foster an interest in medical and healthcare careers among underrepresented high school students. In this year-round program, participants are exposed to a range of healthcare professionals, including nurses, physicians, and physician assistants. They also engage in hands-on activities that teach critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and 21st-century skills. Furthermore, participants receive mentorship from medical students, who also offer guidance with the college application and admissions processes.
Tech Savvy OHIO
Ohio University
College of Arts and Sciences
Tech Savvy OHIO is an annual, daylong STEM outreach program for middle school girls and their parents and teachers. Through the program, the girls learn about and develop science and programming abilities as well as the soft skills necessary to succeed in science fields. They participate in five hands-on workshops while their parents and teachers attend separate sessions about topics such as college admissions, financial aid, and teenage brain development. The day ends with a keynote presentation by a leading female scientist.
Minority College Experience/Women in Science and Engineering (MCE/WISE)
Penn State Behrend
High-achieving girls and students of color interested in STEM attend the six-week MCE/WISE program, which includes enrollment in a dual-credit science or math course the summer before their senior year of high school. In addition to completing college-level coursework, participants attend a variety of workshops that explore stress-relief techniques, study skills, STEM majors, and more. Field trips to healthcare companies and other STEM-oriented organizations allow students to meet diverse professionals and investigate a variety of career options.
PCOM Science and Math Summer Academy
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)
Held on both PCOM’s Philadelphia and Georgia campuses, the Science and Math Summer Academy works to address health disparities by increasing the diversity of the healthcare workforce. Through a rigorous curriculum, African American and Latino students from area high schools improve their skills in STEM and medicine, learn about the college and medical school admissions process, explore career possibilities, and participate in clinical simulations, anatomy labs, and field trips. They continue to meet and work on research projects throughout the academic year.
This Is How We “Role”: Inspiring Future Veterinarians
Purdue University
College of Veterinary Medicine (PVM)
This Is How We “Role” aspires to increase diversity in the veterinary profession by introducing students in underserved elementary schools to animal science. PVM faculty and students lead interactive lesson plans — often focusing on the connection between animal and human health — for kindergarten through fourth grade classrooms. Sponsored in part by the National Institutes of Health, the program’s curriculum has been shared with 13 veterinary colleges nationwide, and many of its resources are available for free at werolelikethis.org.
Rice Emerging Scholars Program (RESP)
Rice University
RESP was launched to increase persistence in STEM fields for students from underserved backgrounds. With a goal to shatter the perception that low-income and first-generation students cannot succeed in technically demanding majors at selective institutions, RESP includes a summer bridge program, research experiences, and comprehensive advisement. Students are also required to meet with advisers for a minimum of 30 minutes each week to help address and overcome any hurdles they face, whether academic or personal.
Engineers of Color Creating Opportunities (ECCO)
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Kate Gleason College of Engineering
ECCO offers initiatives focused on increasing the number of African American, Latino, and Native American engineering students at RIT and preparing them for leadership roles in the field. K-12 outreach is another priority of the program. Through College & Career Days, inner-city middle and high school students participate in engineering activities. ECCO also hosts an event during National Engineer’s Week in which sixth- through 10th-grade students engage in activities and tour the RIT College of Engineering’s labs.
Women in Engineering at RIT (WE@RIT)
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Kate Gleason College of Engineering
WE@RIT strives to improve the representation of women studying engineering and prepare them for leadership roles via outreach and programming. In the fall, female K-12 students, along with their parents and educators, explore 30 activities designed and presented by current RIT students at the WE@RIT Engineering Open House. Through WE Explore, young girls have the opportunity to learn about the engineering design process through hands-on projects. Additionally, WE@RIT offers social and professional programming, including field trips, events, mock interviews, and career fairs.
Q-STEP
Rutgers University-Camden
Camden College of Arts and Sciences
The Q-STEP program is designed to enhance the retention and graduation of science and math majors, particularly women and students of color. Incoming students are selected regardless of previous academic performance. They participate in weekly group-mentoring sessions on STEM topics and are offered advice in navigating academic careers. Participants also attend a Wednesday luncheon workshop to improve their quantitative skills and have the opportunity to work in research labs or on computational projects with faculty during the summer.
Pathways to Health and Science Education Program
Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences
Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences partners with several Kansas City high schools to offer the Pathways to Health and Science Education Program for underrepresented students. The goal is to instill in them an appreciation for and a desire to pursue careers in science and research. In addition to mentoring, the program has four key components: the Future Health Sciences Student Academy, a College-Parent Education Series, a Student Research Initiative, and a Science Fest. Students who complete Pathways receive three college credits from St. Luke’s.
Genomic Opportunities for Girls In Research Labs (GO GIRL)
Shenandoah University
School of Pharmacy
GO GIRL is an educational outreach program aimed at demystifying genomics among high school girls and empowering them to consider a career in the biomedical sciences. Participants receive mentorship, learn the principles behind the techniques used in forensic and research laboratories, and gain experience with state-of-the-art equipment. Cohorts are intentionally small to foster an intimate setting that encourages students to ask questions and promotes quality conversations. With no eligibility requirements, GO GIRL seeks to attract an economically and culturally diverse group of students.
Conclave Leadership Academy
Society of STEM Women of Color
Fielding Graduate University
A collaborative project designed to broaden participation for women of color in STEM, the Conclave Leadership Academy offers leadership development opportunities. Specifically, the academy works to increase STEM educators’ cultural competence in order to improve the academic and career outcomes of the underrepresented students they teach. It includes presentations, group discussions, case studies, and other activities that often center on a theme. Last year reflected on “the ties that bind” STEM women of color in leadership across diverse ethnicities, races, disciplines, institutions, and spiritualities.
STEM Fest and STEM DAZE
South Georgia State College (SGSC)
School of Sciences
In 2017, SGSC hosted its first annual STEM Fest, an event designed to attract underrepresented students to the fields by facilitating positive experiences for them at a young age. It brings hundreds of area fourth graders to campus for a day of interactive space-themed activities. Last year, attendees learned about moon phases and the elliptical orbit of planets and experienced a 3D trip through the solar system in a traveling planetarium. An extension of STEM Fest, STEM DAZE conducts additional outreach to K-12 schools, which has included events and kits that allow students to do hands-on projects.
Southwest Alliance for Girls Enrichment (SAGE) STEAM Camp
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU)
College of Pharmacy
The SAGE STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) summer camp at SWOSU serves girls who live in Oklahoma and are interested in STEAM but have limited opportunities to engage in those fields due to financial or cultural barriers or living in rural areas. At this weeklong camp, incoming eighth graders are exposed to mentors and role models, learn about subjects ranging from forensics to cybersecurity, and work to develop oral, written, and e-communication skills.
AAUW Tech Trek Camp
Stockton University
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) and Stockton partner to offer middle school girls the opportunity to participate in a weeklong summer STEM experience, called Tech Trek Camp. The focus is on recruiting a demographically diverse group of young people from across New Jersey. Stockton faculty, staff, students, and alums lead classes on STEM topics, while additional staff volunteers facilitate hands-on experiences, including access to Stockton’s 2,000-plus acres of Pinelands Preserve, science and computer laboratories, and more.
Women In Science and Engineering (WISE) Program
Stony Brook University
College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
WISE aims to establish a mentoring and leadership pipeline to attract and retain women in STEM studies. Twenty faculty and upper-level students serve as mentors for 100 first-year WISE students, meeting with them weekly for small group discussions and monthly for professional development events. WISE also pairs sophomore, junior, and senior female students with graduate mentors for one-on-one advisement. In addition, the program recently added an annual leadership workshop series for women at the master’s and doctoral levels.
Technical Pipeline Program (TPP)
SUNY Corning Community College (CCC)
STEM Division
A collaboration between SUNY CCC and Corning Incorporated, TPP educates and encourages women and African Americans to pursue careers in chemical, mechanical, and electrical technology. Incoming SUNY CCC students admitted to the program receive a free education, a laptop, books, transportation, and a salary of nearly $25,000 per year. They are also assigned an adviser and mentor. Over TTP’s 10-year existence, 100 percent of participants — 40 technicians — have graduated from the program and been hired by Corning Incorporated.
Exploring Health Careers (EHC) Program
SUNY Downstate Medical Center
College of Medicine, Office of Diversity Education and Research
EHC is a six-week exploratory program that exposes underrepresented and financially disadvantaged students from State University of New York (SUNY) colleges to a wide range of health professions. Participants shadow professionals in SUNY’s affiliate hospitals and clinics and work with peer mentors who are current health professions students. They also participate in reading clubs in which they practice how to process and interpret scientific articles and take introductory seminars in kinesiology, biostatistics, epidemiology, and anatomy.
Department of Chemical Engineering
Tennessee Technological University (TTU)
College of Engineering
The Department of Chemical Engineering at TTU is dedicated to advancing gender equality in chemical engineering — a commitment that is demonstrated by its equal number of male and female faculty members. To improve the representation of women, the department actively recruits female middle and high school students via summer camps, campus visit weekends, and parent workshops. Faculty members also support these undergraduates through a mentoring program that has been recognized by the American Society for Engineering Education and American Institute of Chemical Engineering.
DustyTRON NASA Robotics – STEM and Robotics Day
Texas A&M International University (TAMIU)
The DustryTRON, DustySWARM NASA Robotics, and TAMIU Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers host a variety of events to engage the community in STEM. During STEM Alliance week, TAMIU robotics teams worked with elementary and middle school students to construct LEGO robots, encouraging them to think creatively and offering advice, as well as introduced them to NASA-related projects at the university. The event also sought to show young girls that STEM is not just for boys, but for anyone who wants to make a difference.
Aggie STEM
Texas A&M University (TAMU)
The mission of Aggie STEM is to facilitate meaningful, engaging STEM experiences for students. The program offers several summer camps that provide low-income students and those underrepresented in STEM with opportunities to develop their interest and abilities in these fields. One such event is the All Girls Summer Camp in which female STEM faculty from TAMU teach high school girls from Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio about plant biology and coding, among other topics.
Junior Medical School
Texas Christian University (TCU) and the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC)
School of Medicine
Junior Medical School inspires K-12 students to discover medicine. A partnership between TCU/UNTHSC and Fort Worth Independent School District, it features programming for underserved middle and high school students. Offerings include a camp where seventh graders learn about specialties in medicine, visit a healthcare facility, and complete a group project. The initiative also hosts a camp that helps eighth and ninth graders increase their self-awareness, develop healthy personal and academic habits, and build confidence.
LSAMP STEM Bridge Program
The Ohio State University (OSU)
Part of the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP), OSU’s LSAMP STEM Bridge Program introduces incoming underrepresented students to STEM through four courses focused on college-level math, research, STEM study skills, and technical communications. It also facilitates experiences in which they learn to work in faculty labs, discover academic and professional resources, and explore their identities. Field trips to Stone Laboratory and Cedar Point amusement park allow students to learn about freshwater biology and the engineering of roller coasters.
Information Systems Doctoral Student Association (DSA)
The PhD Project
The PhD Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the number of minority business professors nationwide with the ultimate goal of inspiring underrepresented students to pursue business degrees and careers. It assists members in applying to PhD programs and provides ongoing support through its five DSAs, which are based on academic specialty. The Information Systems DSA provides a support network and annual conference for members specializing in corporate technology, thus preparing them to teach one of the most in-demand skill sets in business today.
Equal Opportunity in Engineering (EOE) Program
The University of Texas at Austin
Cockrell School of Engineering
EOE strives to attract and retain diverse students by offering multiple academic enrichment and community-building opportunities. These include a one-week residential summer camp for underrepresented high school seniors interested in pursuing engineering degrees and EOE’s First-Year Interest Groups for diverse freshmen. In these groups, students are divided into small cohorts, and together they take gateway STEM courses and attend EOE’s weekly professional development seminars. EOE also offers tutoring, community socials, and unique study abroad opportunities for diverse undergraduates.
Tulane Center for K-12 STEM Education
Tulane University
School of Science and Engineering
Tulane Center for K-12 STEM Education hosts two middle school programs to expose underserved students to STEM: Girls in STEM at Tulane and Boys at Tulane in STEM. Both programs introduce students to science and engineering labs as well as faculty on Tulane’s campus to conduct hands-on experiments. The all-day programs cost only $10 per participant in order to make them as accessible as possible. The center also hosts a variety of other STEM-related programs for underrepresented and disadvantaged youth.
Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP)
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
ANSEP offers a variety of activities and events to encourage Alaska Native students — from sixth graders through PhD candidates — to pursue STEM careers. Those in fifth through eighth grade can participate in ANSEP’s summer camp, where activities include everything from building personal computers to dissecting squids. Other ANSEP activities provide intensive math and science training, summer learning experiences, and college preparation assistance for Native American high school students. ANSEP also offers scholarships, mentoring, and research support for Alaska Native students who major in STEM at UAA.
Inspiring Girls
University of Alaska Fairbanks
College of Natural Science and Mathematics
Through Inspiring Girls, teams of teenage girls and instructors participate in a free 12-day wilderness expedition. In the past, such experiences have included exploring glaciers, an alpine forest, and a fjord, as well as conducting scientific field studies with professional glaciologists, ecologists, and mountain guides. Inspiring Girls runs several expeditions each summer; to date, more than 200 students have participated. Its goal is to provide young girls with an environment that fosters the critical thinking necessary to engage in scientific inquiry.
STEM for Girls
University of California, Davis (UC Davis)
The STEM for Girls program invites 10- to 12-year-old girls and those with gender-expansive identities to campus for a full-day STEM experience. They learn about math, food science, chemistry, and more in workshops led by UC Davis student groups and do hands-on activities such as building electrical circuits. Through these experiences, STEM for Girls aims to increase interest and build a sense of belonging in STEM as well as connect underrepresented students with role models in the fields.
PATHways to STEM through Enhanced Access and Mentorship (PATHS) Program
University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
Division of Biological Sciences
The PATHS Program aims to empower students from underserved communities to become leaders as STEM undergraduates at UCSD. It provides access to academic preparation, multi-tiered mentorship, personalized student support, early career identification, and more. Participants receive assistance addressing financial, cultural, and academic barriers to earning their degree, including scholarships, on-campus living accommodations, and paid summer internships. Additionally, the PATHS Stratified Mentorship Program connects students with peer, faculty, and alums who offer guidance during their undergraduate study.
Interprofessional Health Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
School of Pharmacy
Designed to diversify UCSF’s Doctor of Pharmacy program, the yearlong Interprofessional Health Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program is for individuals who have a bachelor’s degree but need help to become more competitive pharmacy school applicants. The focus is on students from disadvantaged backgrounds, underserved communities, and groups underrepresented in the pharmacy profession. Participants take two semesters of upper-level science courses to improve their academic and professional development, receive support in applying to pharmacy school, and meet regularly with faculty to monitor their progress.
Riverside Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program (Riverside B2B)
University of California, Riverside (UCR)
School of Medicine
Riverside B2B aims to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in research-oriented careers by preparing students from Riverside City College (RCC).— a community college — to complete a baccalaureate degree in STEM at UCR. While enrolled at RCC, students in the program have access to a variety of support services through UCR, including peer mentorship, tutoring, and access to two research seminar series. During their second year at RCC, they complete paid internships at UCR, followed by an intensive summer research program that extends into their first year there.
Program for Mastery in Engineering Studies (PROMES)
University of Houston
Cullen College of Engineering
Created in 1974, PROMES provides targeted academic support for cohorts of students who are underrepresented in engineering. The program focuses primarily on helping first-year engineering majors successfully transition into college by offering unique support services in the form of program advisers and academic skills workshops. PROMES students also take introductory STEM courses as a cohort, attend group study sessions, and participate in individual and group tutoring led by PROMES staff.
Urban Pipeline Program (UPP)
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)
College of Pharmacy
A partnership between UIC, Chicago Public Schools, and the South Suburban school districts, UPP is a selective and rigorous six-week program for underrepresented high school students. It focuses on academics, experiential activities, mentorship, and social development. Participants take courses in chemistry, math, and pharmaceutical calculations; shadow faculty; are paired with graduate and undergraduate mentors; and engage in hands-on research with faculty. They also work on science projects, which they present to students, faculty, and staff at UPP’s culmination.
Brown Forman Engineering Academy (BFEA)
University of Louisville (UofL)
J.B. Speed School of Engineering
BFEA is designed to assist underrepresented students with the transition to UofL’s school of engineering. Students live in the Engineering Living and Learning Community on campus for two weeks while engaging in academic preparation including calculus courses, a review of engineering disciplines and faculty research, and hands-on activities. Participants meet and have meals with faculty, academic advisers, engineering students, and alums and learn about study skills, class scheduling, time management, and more. Additionally, BFEA strives to build students’ support system through team-building activities, mentorship, and industry tours.
Office of Student Success
University of Louisville (UofL)
J.B. Speed School of Engineering
The Speed School of Engineering’s Office of Student Success focuses on maximizing retention and graduation rates within UofL’s engineering school. Initiatives for underrepresented students span K-12 education through college graduation. The Girls Rule STEM Summit is a day-long educational program for children and parents, and the INSPIRE program offers underrepresented high school students a two-week engineering enrichment opportunity. The office also offers a Women in Engineering Leadership Conference for high school seniors.
Girls Experiencing Engineering (GEE)
University of Memphis (UofM)
Herff College of Engineering
GEE offers summer academic enrichment experiences focused on engineering and leadership training for middle and high school students. The program specifically recruits African American and Hispanic girls in high-poverty neighborhoods. It consists of two weeks of interactive lessons led by Herff faculty, visits to UofM STEM labs, and team-based design competitions. In addition, female engineers and STEM professionals deliver speeches and lead workshops that help dispel stereotypes about minorities and women to build participants’ confidence.
Michigan Engineering Zone (MEZ)
University of Michigan (UMich)
College of Engineering
MEZ introduces underserved students to the fun and challenging world of robotics engineering. Based out of the UMich campus in Detroit, MEZ offers resources and guidance for local high school robotics teams to design and build their own creations. Engineering faculty and students serve as mentors as well as lead demonstrations and group projects for K-12 field trips. The ultimate goal of MEZ is to inspire in these students the confidence and passion necessary to pursue STEM higher education and to diversify the city’s STEM workforce.
Pipeline Into UMMC
University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC)
The Pipeline Into UMMC helps high school, undergraduate, and first-year medical students prepare for success in medical education and professions. Free, extensive ACT and MCAT workshops give them an edge in admissions, and several pipeline programs allow undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to explore careers by shadowing UMMC and community healthcare professionals. Additionally, a summer bridge program for new medical school students provides academic and success skills training.
Science Training Enrichment Program (STEP)
University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC)
Disadvantaged junior high students spend one Saturday a month immersed in the medical school experience at UMMC through STEP. Medical faculty lead STEP classes in the university’s state-of-the-art labs, teaching students how to perform research and dissections. Participants also complete CPR certification and community service projects in order to acquire real-world medical skills and experience. The program accepts 80 students from diverse backgrounds each year and emphasizes the importance of understanding other cultures.
STEM Cubs
University of Missouri, Columbia (MU)
College of Engineering
Created to improve access to STEM education for marginalized groups, STEM Cubs recruits underrepresented and underserved elementary school students to address STEM engagement at an early age. This summer day camp hosted by MU includes fun, interactive activities to build participants’ interest and skills in science. They explore the world of civil engineering by building and testing the load-bearing capabilities of bridges, learn about buoyancy, and work with 3D printers.
UNMC High School Alliance
University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)
The UNMC High School Alliance introduces highly motivated students — most of whom are low-income — to health professions to improve the diversity of Nebraska’s workforce. High school juniors and seniors earn college credit during the school year by attending classes at UNMC led by healthcare professionals and researchers. By participating, they gain an understanding of science and health topics, learn how to accomplish their career goals, and are better prepared to enter college.
Science, Technology, and Math Preparation Scholarships (STAMPS)
University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG)
College of Arts and Sciences
The STAMPS Program at UNCG offers scholarships of up to $4,000 per year to academically talented students in the sciences who demonstrate financial need. In addition to receiving monetary support, STAMPS Scholars explore career opportunities and learn about cutting-edge research. They also attend interdisciplinary lectures, network with professional scientists, and visit labs and research sites. For example, students learn about nanoscience during a trip to the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering in Greensboro.
Junior Seahawk Academy
University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW)
Watson College of Education
The Junior Seahawk Academy provides a platform for middle school students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds to develop an interest in STEM, health, and education careers. Participants build their knowledge, technology and reading competence, and social skills as well as gain access to mentors and information about postsecondary education and opportunities at UNCW. They also learn how STEM affects their daily lives via hands-on activities and lab experiments and develop a final project, which they present to their peers and families.
URISE
University of Richmond
School of Arts and Sciences
URISE is a STEM summer bridge program that extends beyond the classroom and laboratory. While it includes a variety of academic, leadership, and personal development experiences, URISE also emphasizes peer bonding. Participants attend unique field trips ranging from whitewater rafting to visiting sites like the African American History Museum in Washington, D.C. The ongoing academic and personal support offered through the program has helped ensure participants’ academic success; 100 percent of URISE’s first cohort graduated in 2017.
Student Members of the American Chemical Society (ACS)
West Virginia State University (WVSU)
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
ACS is a group of WVSU undergraduates that focuses on student professional development and community outreach. Members visit K-12 schools in low-income areas to teach classes and engage in hands-on activities in chemistry, physics, and robotics. They have also given back to the community by volunteering for the Department of Energy’s Science Bowl, the Putnam County Science Fair, and other events. In the last six of nine years, a woman has been elected ACS president.
Girls Empowered by Math and Science (GEMS)
Winston-Salem State University (WSSU)
Department of Education
GEMS works to attract girls at an early age to the fields of math and science by offering academic enrichment for those in grades four through seven. Each year approximately 60 girls participate in the program, which includes Saturday morning sessions and a weeklong summer experience. Sessions consist of math reviews and STEM-based activities designed by WSSU faculty so that everyone can participate, regardless of math aptitude. The nonresidential summer experience includes field trips to local STEM-related sites.
Women in Science Program (WISP)
Winston-Salem State University
Department of Biological Sciences
WISP provides a supportive learning environment to help women thrive in the sciences. Composed of 175 female undergraduates across various STEM majors, it builds community, raises awareness of STEM resources and opportunities, and creates a mentoring network between female faculty and students. WISP members have also launched many service projects, such as science fairs, clubs, and mentoring programs for local K-12 students.
