Legislators met with Hispanic students and
professionals in STEM on Capitol Hill to discuss plans to boost
the United States' STEM talent
pipeline.
CITY OF
INDUSTRY, Calif., April 30,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- During its inaugural Hill
Day, SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) met with
members of Congress from both parties and their senior staff in
Washington on April 17 to advocate for investments in STEM
education for Hispanics, one of the STEM workforce's largest
untapped resources.
A delegation of nearly 70 student and professional members met
with 10 members of Congress and the staff of 65 additional
legislators, discussing strategies to solve the STEM workforce
shortage and meet the increasing demands of STEM industries,
emerging technologies and national security interests.
"We expect 10.9 million job openings in STEM by 2031 and
Hispanics are well-suited to meet this workforce demand, but only
with federal investments aimed at improving K-12, higher education
and professional development programs," said Mariana Acuña, SHPE's
Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs. "The STEM
workforce is shrinking and the Hispanic population is growing. SHPE
is closing the gap to avert economic and national security
crises."
Serving as testaments of success, SHPE constituents suggested
that federal investments targeting improvements in STEM education
and workforce development should consider prioritizing
community-based 501(c)(3) organizations as key recipients of
competitive grant funding. Members of Congress and their staff were
generally supportive of this proposal, recognizing SHPE's impact on
society and its potential to optimize its outreach and influence
within the Hispanic and STEM communities with direct funding.
"The CHIPS and Science Act is one of the most critical federal
investments dedicated to advancing STEM education and diversity in
STEM," Acuña said. "While current proposals under the National
Science Foundation target the same goals SHPE strives to fulfill
within the Hispanic community, we recommend sustainable engagement
with community-based organizations to ensure investments are
allocated where needed most."
Kylie Patterson, Chief
Opportunity and Inclusion Officer at CHIPS for America, U.S.
Department of Commerce, attended SHPE's congressional reception in
Washington and recognized the
power of community-based organizations in boosting the STEM
workforce.
"One of the primary objectives of the CHIPS for America program
is to create opportunities for economic development and growth,"
Patterson said. "By being intentional in our community engagement
efforts, we can bridge the gap in education and skills in
communities with untapped potential, enhancing their prospects for
economic mobility while inspiring future generations to pursue
careers in STEM."
SHPE also voiced support for the Hispanic Educational Resources
and Empowerment Act (HERE), Keep STEM Talent Act and Mathematical
and Statistical Modeling Education Act.
Delegates shared their personal experiences and professional
trajectories as Hispanics in STEM with Democratic and Republican
offices, demonstrating the value of community-based organizations
in solving the STEM gap. SHPE boasts a graduation rate of 87.7%
compared to the 50% national average and adds approximately 3,000
highly qualified individuals to the U.S. workforce each year.
"Involving Hispanics in STEM is vital for advancing our domestic
economy, enhancing global competitiveness and meeting workforce
demands," said Monique Herrera,
SHPE's Chief External Relations Officer.
"SHPE remains committed to expanding its reach to all Hispanics,
including first-generation college students, individuals with
disabilities, people from low-income backgrounds, residents of
remote areas, community college attendees and aspiring service
members," Herrera continued. "These concerted efforts are building
a robust domestic pipeline of STEM talent, promoting innovation and
strengthening our workforce for years to come."
To schedule an interview with Mariana Acuña or Monique Herrera, please contact Jonathan Ochart at
jochart@thepostcardagency.com.
About SHPE
SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) is the largest
nonprofit organization and association serving and advancing
Hispanics in STEM. With more than 18,000 student and professional
members, SHPE's mission is to change lives by empowering the
Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and to impact
the world through STEM awareness, access, support and development.
For more information, please visit www.shpe.org.
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SOURCE SHPE