UAlbany Announces New Initiative to Reverse National Trend of Falling Enrollments in Science and Technology
Initiative aims to strengthen U.S. workforce and research sectors

Contact(s):  Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150, ([email protected])

What:
The University at Albany will announce a new initiative funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to strengthen the U.S. workforce and research sectors by reversing the national trend of declining university enrollments in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The program aims to dramatically affect the sustainable recruitment and retention of students in STEM studies.

Who:
George M. Philip, interim president, University at Albany
Edelgard Wulfert, dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Rabi Ann Musah, program director and associate professor of organic chemistry
Maxine Fantroy-Ford, principal, Albany High School

Where:
Life Sciences Research Building, University at Albany main campus, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany

When:
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
11 a.m.

Background:
According to testimony by the Government Accounting Office before the U.S. House of Representatives' education committee, the number of degrees obtained in U.S. universities in engineering, biological sciences, and technical fields has declined from 32 percent of all college students in the mid-1990s to 27 percent by 2004. The number of graduate degrees awarded in the STEM fields had also declined. Businesses have reported turning overseas to fill positions in STEM fields, and this past May U.S. Rep. Mike Honda and Sen. Barack Obama introduced the bill "Enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education Act of 2008," to make American students more competitive in the science-related workforce.

This UAlbany initiative seeks to reverse the national trend of declining enrollment and increase the recruitment and retention of students in STEM fields.