Statement on Broadening Participation in Science

Global scientific challenges and problems affect every single one of us, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, or birthplace. The National Science Board laid out Vision 2030–a plan on how to keep the US at the top of the fields of Science & Engineering.

In order to remain competitive on an international scale, the United States needs to find its “missing millions” to have a strong S&E workforce. We must both expand access for our domestic talent and continue to attract global talent in our science fields. Broadening participation in science is about creating a stronger pipeline from college to the workforce, removing barriers to experiential learning opportunities, and sharing the economic opportunities science can provide. 

As a university, Virginia Tech has committed to major research thrusts in four frontier STEM areas: The Artificial Intelligence Frontier, The Health Frontier, The Security Frontier, and the Quantum Frontier.

These four research areas, in addition to the university’s involvement with Virginia’s Commonwealth Cyber Initiative and Tech Talent Investment Program, reflect Virginia Tech’s commitment to offer its students meaningful pathways into STEM-intensive, rewarding, and economically advantageous careers.

This commitment is further reflected in a new university initiative focused on providing all our students with experiential learning opportunities that connect students’ disciplinary knowledge and skills to an experience aligned with their post-graduation goals (e.g., undergraduate research, internships, and study abroad).

Combining Virginia Tech’s emphasis on frontier STEM areas and commitment to career-focused experiential learning positions Virginia Tech, as a land grant university, to drive social mobility for our students, offering them degrees and career placement support so that they can enter rewarding and well-paying STEM focused careers that help meet the nation’s critical workforce needs.

In alignment with the Virginia Tech Beyond Boundaries strategic plan and the Virginia Tech Advantage, the College of Science has a goal to drive that social mobility for our students.