On May 3, UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski joined WAMU’s The Kojo Nnamdi Show for a discussion about the state of diversity in STEM fields and the importance of connecting STEM with work in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.
Pres. Hrabowski was joined by Brian Kelly, editor of U.S. News & World Report, and James Maiden, assistant dean of student affairs at University of the District of Columbia and principal investigator of the Minority Male Makers Program. The wide-ranging discussion covered several issues, including how studying the arts, humanities, and social sciences can help students develop the skills and knowledge needed to address some of society’s most pressing challenges.
“One of the ways we can get students to appreciate what STEM can do for our country is through the humanities, not only through reading skills, but understanding many of the ethical issues involved in the achievement gap, in health disparities, and in the environmental issues that we face,” Dr. Hrabowski said.
Pres. Hrabowski highlighted UMBC’s national leadership and strengths in inclusive excellence and focus on under-representation in STEM. Mentioning centers and programs like the Center for Women in Technology (CWIT), Meyerhoff Scholars Program, Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program, and Humanities Scholars Program, Pres. Hrabowski shared how many students are combining majors in the arts and humanities with taking courses in STEM disciplines to pursue careers in a range of professions.
“We need many solutions that will connect disciplines that will solve the problems we find in society,” Dr. Hrabowski explained.
Later in the program, President Hrabowski also described UMBC’s partnership with Northrop Grumman and Baltimore City Public Schools to support students, teachers, and communities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) education.
Listen to the full segment “Local D.C. STEM careers are soaring-but for whom?” on the WAMU website.
Image: Pres. Hrabowski speaks at Lakeland Elementary/Middle School, Jan. 2016. Photo by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.
