Female-Minority Initiative

FCR-STEM created the Female-Minority Initiative to address the objective of narrowing student achievement gaps in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and respond to authorizing legislation requesting the center to “develop a comprehensive plan, with input from school districts, to increase the number and percentage of females and minority students enrolling in and successfully completing mathematics and science courses” (Florida Statutes, Section 1004.86). FCR-STEM expanded the scope of the plan beyond course-taking to include participation, achievement, and persistence in STEM education and careers from kindergarten through post-secondary education (K-20).

FCR-STEM convened a Female-Minority Initiative Work Group representing school districts, community colleges, universities, business, workforce development, and a few STEM Initiatives outside Florida to examine policies, programs and strategies that hold promise for increasing Florida’s female and minority representation in STEM courses and STEM fields. Released in Februrary 2009, the final report includes the Work Group's recommendations and a summary of research and achievement trends prepared to inform their deliberations.

FCR-STEM extends sincere gratitude to the Female-Minority Initiative Work Group and Advisory Panel members for their generous contribution of time and expertise to this project and for their impressive dedication to advancing the opportunities and success of females and underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Consuelo Boronat
Title V Program
Florida International University

Beverly Bower
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Florida State University

Todd Clark
Office of Mathematics & Science
Florida Department of Education

Leah Cook
Girls Get IT

Jimmie Lee Davis, Jr.
Mitre Corporation and
Space Florida Board of Directors

Anne Donnelly
South East Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate
College of Engineering
University of Florida

Christina Drake
Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control

Monica Hayes
National Math & Science Initiative

Shouping Hu
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Florida State University

Work Group

Julie Alexander
Division of Community Colleges
Florida Department of Education

Angela Birkes
Research and Evaluation Department
Dekalb County Schools, Georgia

Susan Blessing
Women in Mathematics, Science and Engineering
Florida State University

Consuelo Boronat
Title V Program
Florida International University

Tommy Chambers
Aim2Win Solutions

Paula Cifuentes
Lake City Community College

Todd Clark
Office of Mathematics & Science
Florida Department of Education

Leah Cook
Girls Get IT

Mary Jane Dann
Douglas L. Jamerson Jr. Elementary School
Center for Math & Engineering

Jimmie Lee Davis, Jr.
Mitre Corporation and
Space Florida Board of Directors

Anne Donnelly
South East Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate
College of Engineering
University of Florida

Christina Drake
Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control

Lynda Earls
Office of Equity & Access
Florida Department of Education

Patrick Enderle
Florida State University

Adeola Fayemi
Office of Equity & Access
Florida Department of Education

Penny Haskins
Radiation Technologies, Inc.

Monica Hayes
National Math & Science Initiative

Jacqueline Hightower
Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University

Gladis Kersaint
Mathematics Education
University of South Florida

Charlene Kincaid
Santa Rosa County Public Schools

Katherine Leroy
Duval County Public Schools

Karen Martinoff
Hayes e-Government Resources, Inc.

Lisa McClelland
Trio Center & McNair Program
Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University

Mike McKee
GO-GK-12
University of Central Florida

Kimberly Moore
Workforce plus

Jeffery Murfree
Teacher Resource Network/The Teacher Channel

Louise Muscarella-Daxon
Miami Edison Senior High School

Nirmala Ramlakhan
Workforce Central Florida

Ava Rosales
Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Walter Secada
Curriculum & Instruction
University of Miami

Jacqueline Smith
Minority Engineering & Computing Science Center for Academic Advancement
University of Central Florida

Berrin Tansel
Center for Diversity in Engineering & Computing
Florida International University

Sylvia Thomas
College of Engineering
University of South Florida

Sharisse Turnbull
Florida State University

Additional Resources

NOVA Documentary on Percy Julian: An influential African-American chemist, Percy Julian earned a Doctorate in Chemistry in 1931 and became the first African-American to direct a chemical research laboratory. Julian's research contributed to the treatment of glaucoma and the understanding of steroids.
Encouraging Girls in Math and Science: A 2007 Department of Education report providing specific and evidence-based recommendations that educators can use to support female participation and advancement in the fields of math and science.