STEPS Center Receives Insight Into Diversity Magazine’s 2024 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award

(Raleigh, NC; for immediate release)—Today, the STEPS Center received the 2024 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. The Inspiring Programs in STEM Award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The STEPS Center will be featured, along with 82 other recipients, in the September 2024 issue of Insight Into Diversity magazine.

Inspiring Programs in STEM Award winners were selected by Insight Into Diversity based on efforts to inspire and encourage a new generation of young people to consider careers in STEM through mentoring, teaching, research, and successful programs and initiatives.

STEPS Director Jacob Jones expressed his gratitude to the Broadening Participation team for their dedication to belonging in STEM: “The award recognizes the team’s commitment and thoughtful execution of a strong broadening participation plan. We are thankful to those who lead the broadening participation efforts and the entire team for their commitment to inclusion and belonging in STEM, which brings diverse perspectives, knowledge, and experiences to complex research challenges.”

Insight Into Diversity magazine selected the STEPS Center because of the Center’s commitment to not only recruit and retain underrepresented minority students in STEM, but also to help them flourish in convergence research careers. Each year, our Broadening Participation team hosts a week-long ExPlorers summer camp for minority high school students to introduce them to phosphorus sustainability and careers in STEM. To support scholars once they join and enable them to thrive in STEPS, the Center provides participants with numerous enriching activities. Every STEPS Scholar is supported through an Individualized Development Plan (IDP), a tool that guides each scholar toward (i) professional/career planning, and (ii) personal strategic development. Each scholar has a network of mentors who provide professional development, role models, safe space, emotional support and mental well-being, cultural community support, and access to opportunities.

“We know that many STEM programs are not always recognized for their success, dedication, and mentorship for underrepresented students,” says Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of Insight Into Diversity magazine. “We want to honor the schools and organizations that have created programs that inspire and encourage young people who may currently be in or are interested in a future career in STEM. We are proud to honor these programs as role models to other institutions of higher education and beyond.”

A call for nominations for this award was announced in April 2024.

For more information about the 2024 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award and Insight Into Diversity magazine, visit insightintodiversity.com.