Reimagining educational equity through strategic alliance partnerships in response to the USA STEM-M diversity gap

Janet Rocha*, Claudia M. Castillo-Lavergne, Marcus J. Byrd, Mercedes R. Carnethon, Rebecca Miller, Maria Lin, Erica E. Marsh, Janice K. Jackson, Clyde W. Yancy

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Addressing the USA diversity gap in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEM-M) through strategic alliance partnerships (SAPs) is an innovative solution toward combating the educational inequalities presented in K-12 education for marginalized youth interested in STEM-M professions. We present a model that unites multiple stakeholder s committed to diversifying the workforce in STEM-M, through the implementation of a multi-year high school pipeline program designed to better achieve STEM-M equity, access and opportunity at the secondary school level. We developed a unique model based on an SAP in a large metropolitan area in the Midwest that joins an Academic Medical Center and a local Public High School. Our results involving 46 students over 8 years demonstrate 100% high school graduation rates; 97% college attendance with full or partial scholarship support, and early evidence of post-graduation aspirations in STEM-M careers. Our early progress calls for more rigorous study against standard educational practices. If our program is proven to be more effective, then potentially more strategic public-private partnerships to foster K-12 pipeline programs to better achieve equity through educational access, opportunities and resources should be developed and targeted for those marginalized youth that have been historically denied STEM-M opportunities. After 10 years of dedicated effort, we see evidence of potential benefits of this SAP to develop K-12 pipeline programs with similar aims of STEM-M diversification, particularly by way of more-equitable provision of educational opportunities to students belonging to minority racial and ethnic groups.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberdaab094
JournalHealth Promotion International
Volume37
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2022

Keywords

  • STEM-medicine/health
  • empowerment
  • equity
  • workforce planning
  • youth

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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