Kean Legislation Helping Underrepresented Students in STEM Programs Clears Senate

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislation requiring new guidance in the recruitment of underrepresented students for STEM programs was approved by the New Jersey Senate.

“STEM fields are some of the fastest-growing in the country and students who would like to pursue a STEM career should be able to do so regardless of their gender or ethnicity,” said Kean (R-21). “My legislation will make certain that colleges and universities focus on ways to recruit historically underrepresented students in STEM programs.”

The bill, A-1070/S-2892, requires the Secretary of Higher Education to establish a program to assist institutions of higher education in the recruitment and retention of underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs. Underrepresented students include women and students from other populations historically underrepresented in the STEM fields.

“Underrepresented students experience all sorts of cultural and institutional barriers while they pursue a STEM field,” added Kean. “By identifying these obstacles, and notifying institutions of higher education, we can help these students reach their academic goals.”