Released August 31, 2010
AMES, Iowa -- Through his "Educate to Innovate" campaign, President Obama has championed the importance of educating more students to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields in order to sustain the nation's economic growth and competitiveness globally. Two researchers from Iowa State University's Office of Community College Research and Policy (OCCRP) have now compiled research showing the value community colleges have in stimulating STEM interest among underserved populations.
Soko Starobin and Frankie Santos Laanan served as guest editors of the special issue of the Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering on the role community colleges play in broadening participation among women and minorities in STEM fields. In the issue, which was published in August, they included six articles providing evidence of how community colleges have helped increase STEM participation among traditionally underrepresented populations.
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