The forerunners – STEM Success among Students with Disabilities

The Sphinx Armachis Cairo - Marvel of Engineering

Late last July I received an email from one of my favorite colleagues about an extraordinary opportunity. Professor Fong Chan related that Hunter College – a member of a unique academic collaboration, the MIND Alliance, which supports the academic success of students with disabilities and of color in STEM disciplines, had funding associated with a National Science Foundation grant to support a documentary film. The message of the film was to emphasize that students of diverse backgrounds and with disabilities can succeed in STEM studies and, by extension, in the highly competitive careers associated with STEM skills. Fong then asked if I’d be interested in offering the nAblement channel as the vehicle to communicate this message to students, knowing that nAblement, as a part of SPR Companies, places qualified candidates with disabilities into technology roles. I was elated to help fashion this timely message, honor some of our respected clients, and provide a forum for a few of our respected consultants to mentor students toward career success.

Soon I was reconnected with Sean Jourdan,  respected independent filmmaker and colleague of Fong’s with whom I had collaborated on a previous project of Professor Chan’s related to impression management by candidates with disabilities during the face-to-face  interview process.  I felt confident that our project would yield an important message and film that might be a catalyst to drive greater effort and success of students with disabilities into science and related fields.

Refiring the U.S. STEM Engine

In an article from last November published in The Council of State Governments’ Capitol Comments, it’s noted that in 2006 U.S. 15 year-olds ranked 25th globally in Math proficiency and 14th globally in the percentage of its students graduating from college. While I was aware that our nation’s academic prowess in math and science was slipping, these statistics suggested a far harsher fall. Just a decade or so prior the U.S. was tied for the 1st position in graduating our students.

A recent story in the Huffington Post lays out some of the current national initiatives being supported by the White House and administration to regenerate the U.S. global impact in STEM fields.  The five key public/private partnerships emphasize strengthening the pipeline of qualified educators and, by extension, successful graduates within STEM disciplines. The administration has raised the profile of these initiatives with key cabinet level appointments and high-profile outreach to both educators and the public.

The forerunners Aligned with Key Educational Efforts

Within this very supportive backdrop, SPR/nAblement is proud to be affiliated with the Mind Alliance and National Science Foundation to bring this timely and impactful documentary film, The forerunners, to the public.