As leader of the NSF's efforts to stimulate diversity among the nation's scientific workforce, Williams acknowledges that existing systems of reward and success within the global science community do not lend themselves to thinking about matters of racial diversity. Yet he is convinced that, demographics being what they are in the United States, change must take place.
Williams is equally convinced that unless the SMET community -- both inside and outside of the academy -- makes a sincere and systemic commitment to transforming itself, the situation cannot and will not change.
"Ours is a science-driven economy that is knowledge-based. It is not dependent on natural resources," says Williams. "You're either a part of the knowledge industry or you're not....
"The challenge for the higher education community," he continues, "is to find ways to give African American and other underrepresented students an opportunity to play a more meaningful role in the scientific enterprise."
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