Summit on the Intersection of Higher Education and the Workforce: Broadening the Role of Business in STEM Transfer and Persistence

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

BHEF is collaborating with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Board on Higher Education and Workforce to host a Summit on the Intersection of Higher Education and the Workforce: Broadening the Role of Business in STEM Transfer and Persistence in Washington, DC. This public, half-day meeting is an opportunity for participants to learn about and engage in deeper discussions on high-impact practices and business engagement models aimed at increasing undergraduate STEM student persistence and workforce readiness, especially for community college transfer in STEM.

Although there are significant efforts underway to pilot and scale best practice programs around STEM persistence, very little research has been conducted around the role of business and industry to systematically support students and institutions in ways that will increase capacity and persistence in STEM, assist with student transfer from two- to four-year institutions, and foster pathways and ecosystems for students into the workforce, particularly in emerging, high-demand fields. The goal of the meeting is to highlight pilot programs already underway, generate a broader community, and increase visibility around the topic of business engagement and partnerships to facilitate student diversity and success in STEM fields and the future workforce.

Findings from these discussions will inform a proceedings document and publication aimed at capturing the key themes from the Summit. BHEF will publish this document in May 2017.