The Use of Regional Data Collection to Inform University Led Initiatives: The Case of a STEM Education SWOT Analysis.

AbstractAccording to the National Science Foundation (NSF; 2006), science and engineering jobs constitute a growing sector of the United States economy. The number of science and engineering degrees has lagged behind this occupational growth. In describing Wisconsin's technology profile, Winters, Strang, and Klus (2000) report that the state is nationally ranked 23rd in the number of Ph.D. scientists produced and 26th with regard to the number of Ph.D. engineers produced. Thus, enlarging the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) pipeline in Wisconsin is vital to increasing and maintaining its economic stature. This objective is perhaps most important in the seven-county region of southeastern Wisconsin (M7), as it accounts for 34% of the state's workforce, and, according to the 2000 Census, is the most racially diverse area of the state. As such, this paper assesses the status of STEM affairs in Wisconsin's M7 region in an effort to provide an environmental scan of its readiness to be reframed as a STEM corridor. A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis is conducted to understand how to: (a) boost student participation in STEM at all educational levels in the M7 region, (b) increase STEM participation in order to bolster industry hiring in the region, (c) convince more STEM graduates to remain in the M7 region and attract STEM professionals on the whole, and (d) gain a greater understanding of the activities or initiatives that cement cooperative relationships among STEM organizations.I STEM, Education, University, SWOTWhile postsecondary enrollment has Increased within the United States over the past decade, the proportion of students obtaining degrees In science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields has fallen. Approxi- mately 519,000 students obtained STEM degrees In academic year 1994- 1995, which represented 32% of all degrees awarded at the time. In academic year 2003-2004, approximately 578,000 students obtained STEM degrees, which represented 27% of all degrees awarded (Ashby, 2006). When college and university officials were asked why STEM participation percentages are falling, they cited subpar teacher guallty and poor high school preparation as factors that discouraged the pursuit of STEM degrees, with follow-up stud- ies advocating for Increased enrollment In STEM fields through more outreach and mentoring programs. Subseguently, Congress established new grants to encourage students from low-income families to enroll In STEM fields and also created an Academic Competitiveness Council to Identify, evaluate, coordinate, and Improve federal STEM programs (Ashby, 2006). These funds, however, have not resulted In significant changes.The federal government Is very much Invested In Increasing STEM partici- pation throughout the U.S, Including In Wisconsin. In fiscal year 2004, It spent approximately $2.8 billion to fund over 200 programs designed to Increase the numbers of students In STEM fields and employees In STEM occupations In addition to Improving related educational programs. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) account for nearly 50% of all of these programs (Ashby, 2006). Moreover, women now outnum- ber men In college enrollment, and minority students are enrolling In record numbers at the postsecondary level. To the extent that these populations have been historically underrepresented In STEM fields, they provide an untapped source of STEM participation. Specifically, the seven-county region of south- eastern Wisconsin, the M7 region, can benefit from tapping Into these popula- tions and building a strong STEM workforce within the area.Despite the Importance of STEM educational opportunities In the M7 re- gion, Information about these programs In the area remains decentralized and disjointed, with Wisconsin's top math and science education personnel falling to Identify comprehensive, In-state resources for potential STEM participants. …