Diversifying the STEM Pipeline

Darris W. Williams Program Coordinator – LSAMP

Onondaga Community College

In 2010, there were 7.6 million STEM workers in the United States, representing about 1 in 18 workers.

STEM occupations are projected to grow by 17.0 percent, 1.29 million more jobs, from 2008 to 2018, compared to 9.8 percent growth, for non-STEM occupations.

STEM workers command higher wages, earning 26 percent more than their non-STEM counterparts.

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration

Recent and Projected Growth in STEM and Non-STEM Employment

STEM employment Non-STEM employment

15%

2.6%

2000-10 growth

18%

7.9%

12%

9%

3%

6%

0% 2008-18 projected growth

17.0%

9.8%

Source: ESA calculations using Current Population Survey public-use microdata and estimates from the Employment Projections Program of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Employment of Workers Age 25 and Over with a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher, by STEM Occupation and STEM Undergraduate Degree, 2009 Employed persons in thousands

STEM degree

Total Total Computer Math Engineering Physical & Non-STEM life sciences degree

Total 41,530 9,262 1,359 646 3,706 3,551 32,268 STEM employment 4,736 3,327 763 167 1,738 659 1,409 Computer and math 2,167 1,331 637 120 447 128 835Engineering 1,444 1,225 39 19 1,083 85 219Physical & life 654 484 8 9 54 413 170science STEM manager 471 287 80 19 155 33 184Non-STEM 36,794 5,935 595 479 1,968 2,892 30,859employment

Source: ESA calculations using American Community Survey public-use microdata.

Reasons for Leaks in the STEM Academic Pipeline

National statistics show a lack of graduates among minorities and women in the STEM fields.

Trends are reflected by graduation rates at the bachelor’s degree level. NSF data from 91 “selective colleges” were studied (Hayes, 2002).

Nationally, underrepresented minorities account for only 15.7% of the bachelor degrees awarded in science and engineering in 2001. (Yelamarthi and Mawasha, 2008)

Lack of community - Students without an appropriate peer community suffer from a lack of critical mass (White-Brahmia & Etkina, 2004 (Seidman, 2005)

Financial need - College admissions/recruitment efforts may be out of synch with the information needs of students and their families. (Seidman, 2005)

Source: Recruitment and Retention of Underrepresented Students in STEM Fields Provided by Nancy Nestor-Baker and Sandra Kerka The Ohio State University, October 2009

Reasons for Leaks in the STEM Academic Pipeline

The STEM dropout rates for AALANA are substantially higher than those of European decent or Asians decent. (About 50% African American & Native American freshmen entering STEM majors drop out or switch majors and 66% of Hispanic students do not complete their degrees. In fact, nationally, African-American, Hispanic and Native American students accounted for only 12% of the total STEM degrees awarded in 1998 (White, 2005).

Lack of academic preparation – Many AALANA & female students do not take the most challenging math and physics in high school (many don’t get the opportunity).

Unrealistic expectations - Students may hope to pass with little effort

Source: Recruitment and Retention of Underrepresented Students in STEM Fields Provided by Nancy Nestor-Baker and Sandra Kerka The Ohio State University, October 2009

Reasons for Leaks in the STEM Academic Pipeline

The STEM dropout rates for AALANA are substantially higher than those of European decent or Asians decent. (About 50% African American & Native American freshmen entering STEM majors drop out or switch majors and 66% of Hispanic students do not complete their degrees. In fact, nationally, African-American, Hispanic and Native American students accounted for only 12% of the total STEM degrees awarded in 1998 (White, 2005).

Lack of academic preparation – Many AALANA & female students do not take the most challenging math and physics in high school (many don’t get the opportunity).

Unrealistic expectations - Students may hope to pass with little effort

National statistics show a lack of graduates among minorities and women in the STEM fields.

Trends are reflected by graduation rates at the bachelor’s degree level. NSF data from 91 “selective colleges” were studied (Hayes, 2002).

Source: Recruitment and Retention of Underrepresented Students in STEM Fields Provided by Nancy Nestor-Baker and

Sandra KerkaThe Ohio State University, October 2009

What Does Work to Improve the STEM Academic Pipeline

Top-level administrative support: Expressed support for improvements in minority student recruitment and retention at the highest administrative levels (Jenkins, 2006).

Early outreach: Activities designed to increase college awareness in students at the elementary, junior high and high school levels and enlarge the pool of college-bound minority students. (MSCU, 2002)

Nontraditional recruitment: Activities that go beyond the college fairs and high school visits: Recruiting students of color in community centers, churches, and other settings. Utilizing current minority students and alumni to recruit. Recruiters engage the parents and other family members .

Source: Recruitment and Retention of Underrepresented Students in STEM Fields Provided by Nancy Nestor-Baker and Sandra Kerka The Ohio State University, October 2009

What Does Work to Improve the STEM Academic PipelineBridge programs: Helps students make the transition from high school to college. Some

programs are discipline based, especially in math and the sciences.

Academic and social support services programs: Provides the help that students may need in dealing with the demands of their academic programs or in dealing with an unfamiliar cultural milieu.

Learning Communities (LCs): Address the learning needs of a range of students while also providing a structure for collaboration among faculty and between faculty and student affairs professionals (Clark, 2007)

Undergraduate Research: Undergraduate research experiences (REU) as a powerful tool to attract and retain students in science majors, promote graduate school aspirations, and serve as a pathway toward careers in science (Hurtado et al., 2009).

Source: Recruitment and Retention of Underrepresented Students in STEM Fields Provided by Nancy Nestor-Baker and Sandra Kerka The Ohio State University, October 2009

Questions?