Our Pledge

Building an equitable future in STEM

Photo of Our Pledge

Science and technology are potent agents of positive change, benefitting nearly every realm of human endeavor. The United States honors STEM’s highest achievers with the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. From inventing digital photography to exploring dark matter physics, the NMS and NMTI Laureates’ many and varied accomplishments have shaped our understanding of the world and what lies beyond.

For the past thirty years, our foundation has served as a steward of this community: honoring them as they received their presidential medals and increasing public appreciation for all they have contributed to society. Their impact cannot be overstated. They stand shoulder to shoulder with the Nobel Laureates as a collection of the world’s greatest minds in science and technology.

We look to this group as role models for the next generation of scientists and technologists. However, young students, especially those from underrepresented groups, do not always see themselves reflected back at the highest levels of STEM.

Seven hundred thirty-three medals have been awarded to individuals, teams, and companies since 1962; but only sixty-one of these awards have gone to women and fewer than forty have gone to people of color.

This issue is not unique to this community. But as a steward and advocate for this group, we ask ourselves, “how can we help bring about healthy change?”

We envision a world in which the diversity of the American society is reflected in the recipients of all prestigious STEM honors, including future Laureate classes of the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. To make that dream a reality, we must turn our gaze to one of the most vulnerable parts of the STEM pipeline: an undergraduate’s journey from enrollment to graduation with a STEM degree. The high attrition rate of first-year STEM students, especially those from underrepresented groups, perpetuates a representation problem in collegiate and post-collegiate communities. We believe that intervention at this point in a student’s journey is critical. Any young person who dreams of being a scientist or inventor should receive the education, mentoring, and inspiration to help that dream bear fruit. We can do more to provide the support they need during this time.

Before we see a new class of Laureates that represents both the highest levels of science and technology and reflects our diverse society, we must build a STEM ecosystem that supports all who wish to endeavor there. With our Unscripted Series, inSTEM mentoring program, Experts Connect Program, and Virtual STEM Spotlights, we are committed to creating these types of supportive STEM communities.

We ask you to join us as we work to realize our vision. Together we can:

  • Lower the STEM attrition rate among college students from underrepresented groups
  • Give students and teachers the tools they need to create more inclusive STEM communities on campuses across the country
  • Build an alliance across academia, government, industry, and nonprofit sectors to give students access to a broader, more comprehensive support network
  • Elevate voices that have historically been left out of the conversation so that more students can visualize their own successful career in STEM
  • Honor STEM’s high achievers by including them in the work of building equitable communities

By adding your name, you pledge to take actions big and small to strengthen your STEM community. This work begins in classrooms, labs, and offices around the country where leaders like you make inclusion a priority. Thank you for joining us!

Join us!

Add your name to the list of those making inclusion and equity a priority

Signatories

Abbasi Khuzaim

Adeola Ojeleye | TeacherAid Initiative

Alexandra Lanjewar | University of Southern California/Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Ali Miqdad | FSC Pre-Medical

Amman Allah

Amon Millner | Olin College of Engineering

Anya Hossaini

Aprille Ericsson | NASA/Aerospace Engineer/STEM Champion

Boariu Alin

Brian Felder

Bridgette Powell | Industrial Light & Magic

Cato T. Laurencin | University of Connecticut

Chenming Hu | University of California, Berkeley

Cynthia Matuszek | University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Deborah Kariuki | University of Maryland Baltimore County

Ellen Ochoa | Former Chair, Nomination Evaluation Committee for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation

Eugenia Vasileiadou | Northwestern University

Helen White | Haverford College

James Rathmann | Chairman of the Board, NSTMF

Jean Bolte | Industrial Light & Magic

Jerrod Henderson | University of Houston

John Spiro | Simons Foundation

Jose-Marie Griffiths | Dakota State University

Joseph DeSimone | University of North Carolina

Kagiso Favourite

Kei Koizumi

Kim Fossey

Loretta Cheeks, Ph.D. | Strong TIES

Maryam Arif

Megan Roberts | The ASSISTments Foundation

Dr. Mohamed Askar | Al Motaqadimah Schools Company

Oluwakemi Odunola | Engineering

Rita Colwell | University of Maryland College Park and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Robin Rathmann-Noonan| Member of the Board, NSTMF

Sallie Chisholm | MIT

Sean Akhtar

Steve Crocker | Shinkuro, Inc.

Susanna Raj | AI4Nomads

Taj Rosyidah | Science Teacher

Tamar Seideman | Northwestern

Tarek Fadel | MIT

Ted W Love | CEO, Global Blood Therapeutics

Todd Elmer | Member of the Board, NSTMF

Vinton Cerf | Google, LLC

Vitthalrao Khyade | Shardabai Pawar Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Sharadanagar Baramati.

Wanjiku Karanja | Lucasfilm

Warren Washington | National Center for Atmospheric Research

Your contribution to the NSTMF not only serves to celebrate scientific advancement, ingenuity, and exploration, but also symbolizes your commitment to building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive future in STEM.

Newsletter

For monthly updates about NSTMF's work, events, and programs.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.