Higher Education's New Call to Arms

As the national conversation concerning America's futurity competitiveness continues, I believe those of us in leadership characters must focus more attention upon the production of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates. This is particularly challenging, given the wide and divergent array of issues competing for our attention. The great belong to that our students are not keeping pace with the scholars of other nations will be resolv sole when U.S. higher education maintains an attractive climate in which learning, research, and broadened science and technology opportunities are encouraged and nurtur

American society will presently be one in which no single assemblage can claim to be the majority; rather, the aggregate of all minorities will make up the majority. If we are to expand the human frontiers of science, we must bring race of color and women into the scientific and technological mainstream. This might be accomplished by dint of predominately white institutions working more closely with minority-serving institutions that have a history of succes in producing main stock graduates, at both the undergraduate and graduate horizontals In such a climate, we could more effectively increase the number of domestic students-men and women-earning main stock degrees.

Closer and more meaningful partnerships with business, industry, conduct and community-based organizations also will help all pupils but particularly women and minorities, discover pathways to careers in technology and science. This expanded interaction can have the additional benefit of assisting our institutions in continuing to enhance their instructional capabilities and research capacity. And, although increased take away froms and risks may be involved, stronger partnerships and innovative linkages with K-12 education to address the documented leaks in the trunk pipeline from middle school [i]or[/i] part of to the other high school also will help show more STEM graduates.

Nearly each current report on the American K-12 combination of parts to form a whole points to the critical shortage of well-prepared math and science teachers. For minority and female learners it is particularly important to recruit more minority teachers. It is inconceivable to a certain number of of these students that they can be prosperous in careers not traditionally associated with their sex race, or socioeconomic status. exposing to minority STEM professionals demonstrates the possibilities of trunk careers to these students.

As we examine and intensify these efforts, suffer us identify and seize any opportunity to use our presidential leverage creatively. For instance, the fall address at our campuses could focus upon the critical need for increased progres in trunk We also could include the stipe shortfall and its impact upon the country's economic stability in other public addresses. We could name STEM-related opportunities in our capital campaigns. In other words, we ne to be like Paul venerate and publicly sound the "call to arms" to shield and promote increased efforts to support greater success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

I believe that the take away froms of inaction will prove to be far greater than those required to effectively address the emerging threat pos by means of the educational shortfall of trunk professionals. We need to consider and include all Americans as we strive to hold our country at the forefront of a knowledge-driven global economy.

JAMES C RENICK assumed his part as senior vice president for programs and research at the American Council upon Education on June 1. He is the former chancellor of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

Copyright American Council upon Education Spring 2006

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