posted on 06.30.2023
Obed Louissaint, SVP & Chief People Officer, Aptiv
Chairperson of the Board of Directors
National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, Inc. (NACME)
Call to Action: Corporations Must Lead
NACME Board Chairperson, Obed Louissaint, issues "call to action" to Corporate America
Alexandria, VA (June 30, 2023) -- Yesterday’s Supreme Court decision effectively dismantles the ability of our nation’s Universities to consider race as one of many factors in their admission processes. NACME’s long history of enabling all of America’s talent access to collegiate programs in engineering and now computer science, on its face, is under attack unless those outside the academy, such as leading corporations, take meaningful action.
NACME and its board of directors have committed to a strategic plan to diversify our operational footprint from focusing on scholarships for students pursing bachelor’s degrees in engineering or computer science, to expanding to sponsor educational opportunities to students beginning at 10th grade (and partnering with other organizations for even younger support). It is our hope, through providing ancillary rigorous content in math and science, in neighborhoods where talent is currently overlooked, that we can do our part to ensure our nation’s competitiveness.
We encourage all major corporations headquartered and/or with major operations in the United States, to take immediate action to:
1. Support Universities. Provide direct financial support to university programs with a focus on embracing talent from underserved communities, specifically zip codes where K-12 programs are under-resourced and thus talent is untapped.
2. Invest in Programs. Outcome based programs, such as NACME’s Career Accelerator in Science and Engineering (CASE) Academy, where critical efforts are being made to enhance STEM educational opportunities for students who do not have access to the math and science rigor needed to succeed in bachelor’s programs in engineering or computer science, have a significant need for both financial and marketing support to ensure sustainability and growth.
3. Be Vocal. Communicate your corporation’s position on how Universities can encourage all students in the United States to pursue a career in engineering or computer science to ensure a technical workforce that looks like America.
On Thursday, October 12, 2023, NACME will host our 49th Anniversary Fundraising Gala. This event will highlight corporations and universities that remain committed to a diverse American workforce that enhances innovation and competitiveness thru uplifting under-represented populations via scholarships, academic preparation, and access to competitive career opportunities in technical fields. Proceeds will fund scholarships for under-represented students who are interested in pursuing a career in engineering or computer science. Please join us at this event and/or contribute to our effort to ensure an engineering workforce that looks like America.
SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS. MAKE A GIFT TODAY.
NACME is the largest private provider of college scholarships for historically under-represented groups pursuing degrees at schools of engineering and computer science.