UNCF: Building the STEM Pipeline One Student at a Time October 31, 2012

The Challenge During the next 10 to 15 years, U.S. STEM demand across most industries will outpace supply due to an aging, underprepared, and diminishing workforce; Our nation lacks a coordinated focused effort to produce a strong pipeline of diverse, highly skilled STEM workers; Minorities, particularly African Americans, are vastly underrepresented in STEM due to inadequate foundational skills in middle and high school, lack of financial resources for college, and low awareness of/interest in STEM and related careers

The Opportunity Nearly 70% of growth in young adults (ages 18-24) is among members of a minority group By 2014, 38% of young adults (ages 18-24) will be people of color In STEM fields, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are ahead of the nation’s larger, wealthier majority institutions in producing African American graduates –40 percent in biology, math, computer, and health sciences –23 percent of all engineers

The Capacity With access to 60,000 students 39 historically black college campuses, UNCF is uniquely positioned to help advance the dialogue on minority STEM education and employment. UNCF has administered over 80 STEM programs (scholarships, internships & fellowships) including 25 current programs, which will provide awards in excess of $25 million this year alone. UNCF is building minority presence in STEM through major initiatives, including the $33 million UNCF/Merck Science Initiative—a biomedical science program, and the $1.6 billion Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program, which serves African-American, Hispanic American, American Indian/Alaska Native and Asian Pacific Islander students, alone has produced more than 1,300 STEM graduates in the last 7 years. Currently 470 graduate GMS Scholars are pursuing advanced degrees in STEM fields.

Partnership Vision Increase awareness among minorities about career opportunities in the science industry. Establish the UNCF/Sanford-Burnham at Lake Nona Scholars Program to encourage and prepare more minorities to pursue careers in science. Collaborate with minority associations to develop a national consortium of likeminded partners to collaboratively address the shortage of minority professionals in the industry.

The UNCF/Sanford Burnham Institute Scholars Program Key Elements: Internships (8-10 weeks) - Provide Sanford-Burnham at Lake Nona Scholars with meaningful development opportunities to further their interest in the science industry and prepare them for entry and successful careers. Scholarships – Provide incentives for entering the field and remove the financial barrier to producing graduates by providing scholarships for minority students majoring in science-related disciplines. Mentoring – Provide mentors from within the Sanford-Burnham Institute at Lake Nona to build relationships and provide encouragement as well as professional and academic support.

The UNCF/Sanford-Burnham Institute at Lake Nona Internship Program UNCF will identify target recruiting high schools in collaboration with the Sanford-Burnham Institute at Lake Nona. Students apply in their high school senior year and intern with the Sanford-Burnham Institute at Lake Nona in the summer at the end of their freshman year. Students will apply online through UNCF’s website using an electronic application developed specifically for the Sanford-Burnham Institute at Lake Nona. Applicants will be screened by UNCF with a final candidate pool presented to the Sanford-Burnham Institute at Lake Nona for selection.

The UNCF/Sanford-Burnham Institute Scholars Program Selection Criteria Be a High School senior Student should be majoring in biology, chemistry, physiology, or a similar major with a specific focus in biomedical science. GPA of at least 3.2. Students should have taken at least 1 semester of wet lab courses appropriate to their major prior to start of the internship. Enrollment in the lab course at the time of award is acceptable. Demonstrate a commitment to consider the Sanford-Burnham Institute at Lake Nona as a potential career objective. Provide a letter of recommendation; Have a one-page personal statement of career goals and specifically why they are considering the Sanford-Burnham Institute at Lake Nona program. Complete an application describing extracurricular activities, honors and awards, community service and interests outside their major.

The UNCF/Sanford-Burnham Institute Program Scholarships/Internships UNCF/Sanford-Burnham Institute at Lake Nona Program Scholars will receive renewable, last dollar scholarships of up to $25,000 providing the student continues to meet identified eligibility criteria. Student will also receive a paid summer internship at the Sanford-Burnham Institute for four years.

Benefits to STEM Pipleline Program A tailored diversity solution that supports pipeline development Access to a talent pool of minority students majoring in its targeted fields of study Competitive advantage in seeking to recruit the best talent Proven success – 72% of job offers extended accepted by students on average