Minority serving institutions : America's underutilized resource for strengthening the STEM workforce / Lorelle L. Espinosa, Kent McGuire and Leigh Miles Jackson, Editors.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Espinosa, Lorelle L., editor.

McGuire, Kent, editor.

Jackson, Leigh Miles, editor.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Minorities--Education (Higher)--United States.

Minorities.

Minorities--Education (Higher).

United States.

Minority college students--United States.

Minority college students.

Physical Description:

xxi, 232 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Washington, DC : National Academies Press, [2019]

Summary:

There are over 20 million young people of color in the United States whose representation in STEM education pathways and in the STEM workforce is still far below their numbers in the general population. Their participation could help re-establish the United States (TM) preeminence in STEM innovation and productivity, while also increasing the number of well-educated STEM workers. There are nearly 700 minority-serving institutions (MSIs) that provide pathways to STEM educational success and workforce readiness for millions of students of color "and do so in a mission-driven and intentional manner. They vary substantially in their origins, missions, student demographics, and levels of institutional selectivity. But in general, their service to the nation provides a gateway to higher education and the workforce, particularly for underrepresented students of color and those from low-income and first-generation to college backgrounds. The challenge for the nation is how to capitalize on the unique strengths and attributes of these institutions and to equip them with the resources, exceptional faculty talent, and vital infrastructure needed to educate and train an increasingly critical portion of current and future generations of scientists, engineers, and health professionals. Minority Serving Institutions examines the nation (TM)s MSIs and identifies promising programs and effective strategies that have the highest potential return on investment for the nation by increasing the quantity and quality MSI STEM graduates. This study also provides critical information and perspective about the importance of MSIs to other stakeholders in the nation (TM)s system of higher education and the organizations that support them.

Contents:

Study Charge p. 14

Study Approach p. 17

Study Scope and Key Definitions p. 19

Report Organization p. 19

2 Closing the Gap and Advancing the Nation's STEM Workforce p. 23

The STEM Workforce p. 24

Building a STEM Workforce in the Context of a Changing Nation p. 25

The Nation's STEM Workforce Needs p. 29

Minority Serving Institutions: An Underutilized Resource p. 33

3 MSIs and the Students They Serve p. 39

What Are Minority Serving Institutions? p. 40

The MSI Community: A Model of Diversity for American Higher Education p. 51

Challenges with Institutional Metrics p. 65

Considering What It Means to "Serve" Minority Students p. 69

Chapter Annex p. 70

4 MSI Investment and Returns on Investment p. 79

Federal and State Investment p. 81

Overview of Investments by MSI Type p. 84

Summing It Up: Why Public Investments in MS Is Matter p. 92

Return on Investment p. 98

Targeted Investments in MSIs and the Potential for Increased Return on Investment p. 108

Chapter Annex p. 109

5 Promising Strategics That Contribute to STEM Student Success p. 117

Committee Research Plan p. 120

Intentionality p. 123

Strategies to Promote Student Success p. 125

6 A Shift in Priorities to Support the Future STEM Workforce: Recommendations for an Impactful Change p. 173.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9780309484411

0309484413

OCLC:

1081000721