From mid-September to mid-October, the U.S. celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month. This annual observation initially began as a commemorative week in 1968 and was extended to a full month by President Ronald Reagan 20 years later. The holiday starts on September 15 to signify the anniversary of formal independence for multiple Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
Data shows Hispanic workers remain underrepresented compared to their white counterparts in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) workforce. According to a Pew Research Center Study, Hispanic adults make up 17% of the overall U.S. workforce, but just 8% of the country’s STEM laborers. Even more, the study said Black and Hispanic adults are “less likely to earn degrees in STEM than other degree fields” and make up a lower share of STEM graduates.
Prior to the pandemic, the number of Hispanics enrolled in college was increasing, and more Hispanics were earning bachelor’s degrees. In 2018, Hispanics earned 15% of all bachelor’s degrees, up six percent since 2010.
Below are two examples of Hispanic and Afro-Latina leaders in STEM:
Niesha Butler: Butler is a former WNBA player who launched the first Afro-Latina owned STEM education center for students in Brooklyn, New York. Titled S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Champs, the center helps students ages 6-12 receive hands-on learning about literacy skills, sequencing, engineering design principles and more.
Jessica Esquivel: Esquivel is a physicist focused on “inclusive science communication” within STEM. She stands out as an Afro-Latina as one of the few to graduate from St. Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics and the second to graduate with a PhD in Physics from Syracuse University. Today, she offers resources for interested audiences to learn about how to promote equitable and inclusive communication tactics within the STEM field.
Robert F. Smith’s Work to Promote Diversity in STEM
Robert F. Smith has a long history of advocating for increasing diverse representation within the STEM field and many of his philanthropic efforts focus on expanding access to STEM programs for minority students.
Smith is Chairman of Student Freedom Initiative, a nonprofit organization focused on alleviating the burden of loan debt for students of color pursuing a STEM degree. Student Freedom Initiative kicked off with a $50 million contribution from Fund II Foundation, of which Smith is the founding director and President. Smith shortly after matched the foundation’s donation with a $50 million gift of his own. Today, Student Freedom Initiative partners with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions (MSIs) to provide an alternative to other private student loans and Parent PLUS loans. In addition to this, juniors and seniors have access to valuable mentorship opportunities and career-readiness resources.
Smith has also championed multiple scholarship efforts to support minority STEM students. A graduate of Cornell University’s College of Engineering, Smith donated $50 million to support Black and female engineering students at his alma mater. In May 2022, he announced a new gift of $15 million for engineering student aid at the university.
Learn more about Smith’s efforts to increase diversity in STEM.
