What Will It Take To Increase Hispanics in STEM? Money, of Course

WASHINGTON, D.C.

The National Science Foundation came to Hispanic-serving institutions for advice Sunday on the best way to tackle the dearth of Latinos in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The advice from college administrators gathered for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities’ Capitol Forum came back loud and clear: Pay Hispanic students to do research. Or you’ll never get them – and keep them – in STEM fields.

“Our students are working-class students. They cannot just come to school to do the research. They need to get paid,” said Dr. Mohsen Beheshti, chair of the computer science department at California State University, Dominguez Hills, one of the Hispanic-serving institutions represented at the HACU Capitol Forum this week.

“Sometimes they need to support their parents. Provide them some stipend so they can take time from working – otherwise they will not get in.”