“The professors don’t really see women or people of color as their future colleagues,� says Jemison, who has been a professor at Dartmouth College and Cornell University.

Studies indicate women make up 25 percent of the STEM work force, and people of color represent an even smaller percentage. Sixty-five percent of the executives surveyed agreed that minority groups were indeed under-represented in their companies.

Despite the dearth of minorities and women, two-thirds of the CEOs surveyed said that neither their companies nor their employees participate in pre-college education programs designed to increase minority students’ interest in math and science.

The study, titled “Bayer Facts of Science Education XII: CEOs on STEM Diversity: The Need, The Seed, The Feed� surveyed senior executives of the 100 fastest-growing U.S. science and technology companies. Bayer Corp., headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa., is part of Bayer Group, an international health care, nutrition and innovative materials group based in Germany.

The survey, conducted by International Communications Research, also showed that 53 percent of the CEOs say their companies do not effectively communicate the message to women and African-American, Hispanic and American Indian students that there are significant opportunities for them in the STEM fields.

“What we’re seeing here is a tremendous opportunity on the part of STEM companies to get involved in a variety of ways with today’s students and their STEM education,� says Bayer Corp. President and CEO Dr. Attila Molnar. “Whether it’s initiating outreach with them and beginning a dialogue about the need for them in these fields, providing role models and mentors, or actively supporting education programs that have a track record of success with girls and minorities — the opportunity is certainly there.�