Opening the Pathways to Engineering

National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, Inc. Opening the Pathways to Engineering ANNU A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 6 Moving Forward A Profile of NACME O U R M I S S I O N To provide leadership and support for the national effort to increase the repre- sentation of successful African American, American Indian and Latino women and men in engineering and technology, math- and science-based careers. O U R V I S I O N An engineering workforce that looks like America. O U R G O AL Working with our partners to produce an engineering graduating class that looks like America. O U R P UR PO S E Our aim is diversity with equity, our metric is parity in the workforce, and our methodology is the formation of partnerships with those corporations, educational institutions, foundations, nonprofit agencies and governmental bodies that share a commitment to these aims. O U R B E LI E FS We believe in the concept of the “learning organization,” a community in which each member is encouraged and assisted to grow and develop. We believe that we must work not only to continuously improve our skills and capabilities for performing our individual responsibilities increasingly well, but also to strive to be cooperative and effective team members who are committed collectively to the fulfillment of NACME’s mission and purposes. C O NT E NTS Chairman/President Letter 1 Pre-Engineering Studies 2 Scholarships 5 Research and Policy 9 Financial Statements 12 Donors 14 Board, Officers, Staff 16 Partners 17 A Joint Message from the Chairman & the President This past year was an extremely important one for NACME in many regards. It was a year in which we saw dramatic growth in our scholarship program, significant progress in defining our pre-engineering initiative and a rekindling of our research and policy analysis capabilities. It was also a time in which we conducted our first-ever national symposium—a gathering called to address critical issues central to America’s capacity for leadership in global science and technology. If 2005 was the year for strategy setting, 2006 was the beginning period for implementing that strategy. In doing so we have kept at the forefront of our thinking that the most important thing we can do is focus our energies on opening the pathways to engineering for millions of underrepresented young people in this country. Our overarching vision of an engineering workforce that looks like America will result only if we and others who share that vision are able to succeed in creating an engineering graduating class that looks like America. That is the task before us and the one to which we dedicate our efforts. Throughout its history, NACME and the nearly 20,000 students we have served have been blessed by the generosity and support of corporations, foundations, universities and countless individuals who believe in our mission. This year has been no different. We are grateful for the financial contributions as well as the time and energy that many have expended on our behalf. We trust that they will find this year’s annual report to be confirming evidence that their support has truly made a difference and that NACME is fulfilling the expectations accompanying their endorsements of our efforts. Thank you for your interest in our programs. We are excited about the future and look forward to helping more students experience the excitement and opportunities of engineering education and careers. 1 Michael L. King, Ph.D. John Brooks Slaughter, Ph.D., P.E. Chairman, NACME, Inc. President & CEO Senior Vice President, NACME, Inc. Advisor to the CEO Science and Technology Merck & Co., Inc. Pre-Engineering Studies: Launching a New Initiative BACKGROUND Percent of U.S. Population Aged 25–64 by America is facing a crisis in the fields Race/Ethnicity, 1980–2020 of science, engineering and technology. 3% With a large proportion of the U.S. scientific 100% 5% Actual Projected and technical workforce on the verge of 81.9 80% retiring and the lack of sufficient numbers of college graduates to replace them and 60% 62.5 49% advance this important segment of our 43% economy, this problem will grow in intensity 40% in the very near future. To maintain U.S. leadership in technological innovation in 20% 17.4 a global economy, we must act now to 10.2 13.2 5.2 6 ensure that we are encouraging and pre- 1.7 0% 0.6 0.8 paring enough young students, particularly 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 underrepresented minorities, to enter the g Non-Minority g Latinos g African American g Asian/Pacific Islander g American Indian g African American 49% engineering and technology workforce. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Public Use Microdata Samples (Based on 1980, 1990 and 2000 Census) and U.S. g American Indian 5% Population Projections (Based on 2000 Census) g Latino 43% g All Other 3% PARTNERSHIPS NACME has been involved in pre-college an engineering theme-based curriculum. selection, to name a few. We will sponsor programs for more than two decades, and It evaluates and selects schools for entrance student field trips to university campuses we continue that tradition with a renewed into the program; sets standards; supports and encourage employees in local com- focus by collaborating with established and school administration, teachers and guidance panies to volunteer time to help students proven leaders who have implemented counselors; and helps develop locally man- and parents. In 2006, we launched two 100 programs aimed at strengthening the study aged, parent-run advisory councils. PLTW pre-engineering programs to support inner- of science, technology, engineering and provides the core technical curriculum, city students and teachers. The NACME math in middle school and high school. which has proven successful over the past Pre-Engineering Scholarship program In 2006, we took a major step forward by decade in more than 1,700 high schools. recognizes the nation’s highest-achieving establishing a formal relationship with the This contemporary curriculum emphasizes African American, Latino and American 80 National Academy Foundation (NAF) and project/problem-based learning and the Indian high school seniors who demon- Project Lead The Way (PLTW). The goal of development of critical thinking, problem strate academic excellence, leadership this venture is to establish Academies of resolution and group collaboration skills. skills and a commitment to science and Engineering (AOE) in major urban centers NAF and PLTW will support this initiative with engineering as a career. We awarded six 60 serving underrepresented minorities. The comprehensive teacher training and annual $1,500 scholarships this year and will Academies will be small learning communities teacher workshops. grow the program to $50,000 annually in with up to 400 students. Course curriculum the next few years. Realizing that teach- will focus on science, technology, engi- NACME PRogRAMS ers in many inner-city communities do not neering and math. Most importantly, every NACME has developed programs to motivate always have the necessary resources to 40 student will graduate prepared to engage students, increase parental involvement in demonstrate real-life learning experiences in college level courses of study. We have their children’s education and provide ad- to their students, NACME established the STEM Innovation Grant program to promote 2 moved from the drawing board to the class- ditional support to teachers and guidance room with the commitment of major grants. counselors. We are using our national after-school activities that bring engineering The first AOE, the High School for Construc- network of corporate and university partners theory into practice. Six $1,000 Innovation 20 tion Trades, Engineering & Architecture, as well as other organizations dedicated Grants were awarded to teachers this year. opened in Queens, New York, in September to helping children learn. With more than Our goal is to fund 50 projects annually. 2006. Nine more are being evaluated for 20 years of experience in pre-engineering September 2007 openings, and another programs, we are committed to bringing CONCLUSION 60 schools are planned through 2009. It is inner-city communities the support needed This nation must create a workforce of 0 hoped that they will serve as models to be for student success. Our initiatives will pro- scientists and engineers from all back- copied, and grow into a national network. vide students and parents with simple but grounds to compete successfully in today’s The NAF prepares students for post- necessary information on effective study- global economy. NACME and its partners secondary education and careers through ing techniques, financial aid and college are dedicated to making this a reality. 4 Scholarships: Enhancing the Program BACKGROUND and support minority students, and to pro- positions. This new program allows hiring NACME is the nation’s largest privately mote a campus environment that embraces managers to engage NACME students funded source of scholarships for under- diversity and inclusiveness. earlier than ever before. Our partner cor- represented minority engineering students. porations appreciate the ease of use and “The NACME Scholarship Program has Our scholarship program focuses on cost-effectiveness of this online technology, had a significant impact on both our providing financial support to deserving and our partner universities benefit from the retention and recruitment efforts. In the students, encouraging our university part- closer relationships they are able to develop area of retention, we have been able to ners to develop effective recruitment and with leading engineering enterprises. use our funding to help support our retention strategies and supplying industry upperclassmen who need support during with a steady stream of engineering school the final quarters of the undergraduate CommUNITY COLLege graduates.

Load more