In an effort to educate a more diverse audience and raise awareness of careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the School of Education at North Carolina A&T State University will host the fifth annual Urban Education Institute March 7-9 at the Sheraton Hotel Greensboro at Four Seasons.

“The institutional focus on STEM along with the historical record of leadership and service at the University, A&T is uniquely positioned to host a national meeting that examines ways in which STEM involvement and success can be increased in communities of color,” Dean William Harvey said. 

The theme for this year's Urban Education Institute is Addressing the 21st Century Imperative: Improving STEM Success in Communities of Color. STEM careers are projected to grow at double the rate of non-STEM jobs over the next decade. The conference is expected to attract national leaders from the political, corporate and academic communities to exchange ideas and information to help prepare minority students for futures in STEM fields.

“One of the distinguishing features of this year's conference will be the involvement of more than 100 high school seniors from across the state of North Carolina. These STEM scholars will help us understand, by sharing their insights and perspectives, how schools, colleges, universities and community groups can create more effective ways of involving young people in the STEM fields and how we can increase their success in these disciplines,” Harvey said. 

The three-day conference will include industry leaders and educators from North Carolina State University, Howard University, Brown University and others. With so many leaders and students expected to participate, N.C. A&T has a unique opportunity to shine a light on STEM careers.

“We want to raise the interest level of people of all ages in these critical areas,” Harvey said. “We also want to spread the realization that African Americans can achieve great success in STEM, as evidenced by the recognition and celebration banquet that will take place on Friday March 8, when we honor a set of STEM Exemplars who have earned national and international recognition for their accomplishments.

Honorees this year include Dr. Goldie Byrd, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at A&T and Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County who will keynote the luncheon session earlier in the day.

Registration is still open for the conference. Visit http://uei.ncat.edu to register and to find out more about the conference.