UH Receives Over $1 Million to Support Women in STEM

The University of Hawai‘i has received a $1,099,959 grant from the National Science Foundation to support women and minorities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields at seven local community colleges, Sen. Mazie K. Hirono has announced (D-Hawai‘i).

“Developing a strong, diverse STEM workforce is critical to Hawai‘i’s future economic viability and our nation’s long-term competitiveness on the global stage,” said Sen. Hirono. “By supporting STEM women and minority faculty, this funding will promote a more diverse faculty on Hawai‘i’s college campuses and in turn will create a greater more encouraging learning environment for all of our students—strengthening our STEM workforce pipeline.”

STEM education and career paths often lead to higher salaries. However, it is predicted that STEM-related jobs will be in short supply, according to a news release by Sen. Hirono’s office. The award will support a project aimed at identifying and addressing challenges in retaining and progressing diverse women in STEM careers.

“The UH Community Colleges system is grateful for this important federal funding,” said Suzette Robinson, director of Academic Programs for UH Community Colleges. “Providing greater resources to train UH women faculty in STEM disciplines will further advance our commitment to building a cadre of strong, diverse role models who will serve as mentors to help develop our future STEM leaders.”

A partnership between UH Community Colleges and UH Hilo, the project will use virtual tools to connect island campuses to mentor and train administrators and senior faculty. The program will also implement a mentoring and coaching program for women STEM faculty of diverse race and ethnic backgrounds.