Advancing Opportunities for Women in STEM (AOWS)
Abstract
In an increasingly globalized world in which the United States’ security is?inextricably?connected to?international conditions and trends, it becomes ever more critical for the Department of Defense’s?(DoD)?workforce to reflect the diversity of?our country and world. Hiring?Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) professionals who bring unique cultural context?and understanding to their work will?elevate the quality of programming, introduce?new solutions?to intractable?problems, and advance the Department’s strategic priorities. Research has repeatedly shown that hiring a diverse workforce makes for a more innovative and higher-performing organization.?Unfortunately, women and minoritized communities continue to be significantly underrepresented in STEM fields, which jeopardizes?the United States’ ability to be on the forefront of defense and technological challenges. Malcolm X College’s?Advancing Opportunities for Women in STEM (AOWS)? program seeks to address the shortage of African American, Black, Hispanic, and Latina women?in STEM?by?ensuring they 1.) have pathways to earn an Associate of Science degree and?transfer?to a four-year institution; 2.)?benefit from a contextualized learning environment?in which?they are equipped with the skills to make connections across disciplines and apply their studies to real-world problems; and 3.) are properly exposed to?STEM?professional opportunities, both at the Department of Defense and elsewhere.? Malcolm X College (MXC) will achieve the ambitious goals of the AOWS program through three objectives. Objective 1: Strengthen the Associate of Science guided pathway for students to pursue a four-year STEM degree.?Under this?objective,?MXC will develop and bolster a streamlined academic?“pathway”?by creating a curated academic plan for students, assigning students to a transfer advisor, and?providing?additional?supports that meet the?academic?needs of its student populations.?MXC will also host a six-week Summer STEM program that?will include a range of interactive modules?and?research opportunities.?Objective 2: Contextualize curriculum and evidence-based instruction across STEM courses to improve academic outcomes. Through this?objective, MXC will revamp its curriculum across STEM offerings to make material more engaging?and culturally relevant. MXC will pair this with professional development to faculty so they can?introduce new modes of instruction that emphasize project-based learning. MXC will rigorously analyze the impact this transition has on student outcomes and share?its data and lessons learned widely.?Objective 3: Increase student exposure to real-life applications of STEM and DoD opportunities. ?Since many students are unaware of potential STEM careers, MXC will host a career fair, offer research opportunities, and connect students to internships, exposing students to the DoD and introducing them to new workforce paths.?? Through its program, MXC will?expose women of color to STEM?studies?and prepare them for meaningful careers?in these fields.??By diversifying the pipeline of STEM professionals, the AOWS program advances the Federal STEM Education Strategic Plan which articulates how the United States will not fully realize its STEM potential until historically underserved?and underrepresented groups?participate?more fully.??The AOWS initiative will produce well-rounded?STEM professionals who?are capable of making?connections across disciplines, and who?infuse?their STEM work with creativity and strategic thinking.?Exposed to new career paths and opportunities with the DoD, students participating in the program will also begin to locate their studies in the framework of career readiness and growth. Through its partnership with DoD, MXC will create a robust pipeline of women STEM leaders who are ignited with the passion, creativity, and technical skills to serve their country?and?advance?knowledge?and innovations in their fields.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 10, 2021
- Source ID
- HQ00342110010
Entities
People
- Annie Ciechanowski
Organizations
- Malcolm X College
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Washington Headquarters Services