Nationwide, women and minorities are still vastly underrepresented in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) workforce, despite efforts to increase diversity. Access to these fields is limited by a number of factors, including internal and external biases or stereotypes, a lack of exposure to STEM topics, and a shortage of high-profile racial and ethnic role models.

San Jose State (SJSU) is working to diversify the STEM career pipeline by supporting students before and as they enter college. Koret funding will support SJSU’s Jay Pinson STEM Education Program, focused on increasing student interest and preparedness for STEM studies at the university level. SJSU’s teacher-training pilot program will be expanded to approximately 25 STEM instructors in grades 11 and 12 at San Jose high schools serving large percentages of female and under-represented minority students. Using a train-the-trainer model, the program will support teachers in integrating STEM concepts into English language arts, social studies, and other core content areas. In addition, Koret funding will support efforts to strengthen partnerships with local school districts and community colleges, allowing SJSU to increase engagement with Silicon Valley innovators and enterprises and to amplify SJSU’s impact beyond the campus.