# Presentation: 928458

## 2007 IAGLR  Conference: 50 years of Great Lakes Research: Past, Present, and FutureStrategies for Successfully Targeting and Collaborating with Underrepresented Groups

- Thursday May 31, 2007
- Presented by
- Tiah E. McKinney, Einstein Fellow
- Directorate for Geosciences
- National Science Foundation

## Overview of Presentation

- Why Increasing participation in science by underrepresented groups is important.
- Identifying minority educational organizations and associations with high minority participation.
- Recommendations for recruitment of underrepresented populations.
- Utilizing methods that help break down the invisible barriers to developing meaningful collaborations.

## 2007 IAGLR  Conference: 50 years of Great Lakes Research: Past, Present, and Future

*	**“**We are living in a truly remarkable time, driven in no small measure by the revolutions in science and technology. Our economy depends on it more and more, and the maintenance of our leadership depends upon our deepening commitment to it more and more. Yet statistics show that in science, engineering, and mathematics, minorities, women, and people with disabilities are still grossly under-represented, even though we are becoming an ever more diverse society.”*
- President Bill Clinton

## Why Increasing participation in science by underrepresented groups is important

## Why Increasing participation in science by underrepresented groups is important

**Our World is Changing ... **
- Rapid advances in science and technology
- Economy is shifting from Industrial base to knowledge-based enterprises.
- Highly educated and skilled workers are increasingly important in this economy.
- Other nations are improving their education and training systems, particularly for scientists and engineers.
- U.S. must take steps to ensure that it is developing the human resources it will need.

## Why Increasing participation in science by underrepresented groups is important

**Need for a Robust, Diverse ST&E Workforce**
- Our nation’s international competitiveness and national well-being depend on a highly skilled workforce.
- Many types of Science, Technology & Engineering (ST&E) jobs are among the fastest growing and demand for workers has outstripped supply.
- Studies indicate that science and technology have generated half the productivity growth in the U.S. over the past 50 years
- These productivity increases must continue in the 21st century to maintain and improve on high standard of living

## Why Increasing participation in science by underrepresented groups is important

- Historically, white males have made up the bulk of the U.S. ST&E workforce
- In 1997, white men comprised 36% of population but accounted for 65% of the ST&E labor force
- According to the Bureau of Census projections, white male population (workforce) 18 to 64 years will decline from 37% in 1995 to 26% in 2050.

## Why Increasing participation in science by underrepresented groups is important

- Over the same period, 1995-2050, the workforce is expected to change from:
- 74 to 52 percent White
- 12 to 14 percent African-American
- 10 to 24 percent Hispanic
- 4   to   9 percent Asian
- Native American population would remain < 1 percent

## Why Increasing participation in science by underrepresented groups is important

**Implications:**
- Current demographic trends inspire concern about the nation’s ability to meet its future ST&E workforce needs.
- In future years, white males will be unable to adequately supply the needed ST&E workers.
- The fraction of the ST&E total workforce may decline if the relative participation of underrepresented groups remains the same.
- The potential shortage of skilled workers could have devastating consequences for the future.
- If a strong ST&E workforce is to be maintained, it’s imperative that members of all groups participate at increasing rates.

## Identifying Minority Educational Organizations and Associations with High Minority Participation

## Identifying Minority Educational Organizations and Associations with High Minority Participation

- Possible Target Audience for Outreach Activity:
- Public K-12 School Districts:
- Undergraduate Students
- Graduate Students
- Teachers
- General Audience/Parents

## Identifying Minority Educational Organizations and Associations with High Minority Participation

- Online Resource Guide for
- Education Programs and Partnership Opportunities:
- STEM Professional Organizations
- Education Organizations
- Governmental Agencies and Organizations
- Business Organizations

## Identifying Minority Educational Organizations and Associations with High Minority Participation

- In your Quest to Seek and Find Underrepresented
- Groups to Collaborate with:
- Be Deliberate
- Be Diligent
- Be Focused
- Do Your Homework!

## Recommendations for Recruitment of Underrepresented Groups

## Recommendations for Recruitment of Underrepresented Groups

- Use a Multi-pronged Approach, studies show that incorporating multiple approaches lead to successful results
- Assign a Diversity Point Person or Task force
- To ensure accountability for results
- Tap into established Minority Networks
- see On-line Resources for Education Programs and Partnership Opportunities
- Schedule Regular Planning Forums
- To create a Plan of Action
- Establish Goals and Objectives
- Revisit Goals Frequently – Tweak!

## Recommendations for Recruitment of Underrepresented Groups

- Foster Mentoring Relationships
- Recruit at Colleges and Universities that are Popular with Minorities
- visit The Department of Education website for a list of: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/edlite-minorityinst.html
- Alaska Native Serving Institutions
- Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI)
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)
- Indian Tribal Colleges
- Minority Serving Institutions (MSI)
- Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions

## Utilize Methods that Break Down Invisible Barriers

- Remember this Simple Advice:
- Extend an Invitation
- Be Personable
- Engage in Positive Interactions
- Understand the Needs of Your Partner
- Create a Win-Win Scenario for All
- Foster a Nurturing and Supportive Relationship
- Think of it as a Courtship!

## References:

- American Competitive Initiative, Domestic Policy Council, Office of Science and Technology Policy, February 2006
- Committee on Prospering in the Global Economy of the 21st Century: An Agenda for American Science and Technology, Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future, The National Academy of Sciences, 2006
- “Employee Diversity Training Doesn’t Work”, Time Magazine, April 2007
- Ensuring a Strong U.S. Scientific Technical and Engineering Workforce in the 21st Century, National Science and Technology Council, April 2000
- Innovation America: Building a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Agenda, National Governors Association, 2007

## Contact Information:

- Tiah E. McKinney, Einstein Fellow
- Directorate for Geosciences
- National Science Foundation
- (703) 292-8474 office
- (703) 292-9042 fax
- tmckinne@nsf.gov