The National Science Foundation (NSF) will sponsor a veterans’ STEM education think tank through the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) next week. The invitation-only event will convene national leaders to help veterans with service-connected disabilities transition into post-secondary science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

NSF chose to sponsor this conference through the UMKC because of the university’s commitment to educating veterans in STEM. Hosting the event are the UMKC Institute for Human Development and School of Computing and Engineering, as well as their NSF-funded program – “Building an Alliance for New Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (KC-BANCS): A Collaborative Model for the Inclusion of Youth and Veterans with Disabilities”.

Military Times EDGE magazine ranks UMKC as one of the 101 best colleges for veterans. The magazine based its rankings on financial assistance, academic flexibility, campus culture and support services.

Examples of UMKC’s commitment to veterans include the Student Veterans Virtual Resource Center; UMKC Student Veterans Organization; School of Computing and Engineering and Institute for Human Development programs, such as KC-BANCS; SCE’s membership in the Society of American Military Engineers – Greater Kansas City Post; Doctor of Pharmacy Satellite Programs; and Yellow Ribbon Program and continuously processes Missouri Returning Heroes awards for eligible veterans.

“The Research in Disabilities Education program at National Science Foundation is pleased to sponsor this national event,” said Linda Thurston, program director for Research in Disabilities Education (RDE) at NSF’s Division of Human Resource Development. “We are committed to examining issues related to post-secondary science, technology, engineering and mathematics education of veterans with combat-related disabilities. This event, by bringing together stakeholders in STEM education for veterans, is expected to inform the national research agenda within the Foundation and to provide important input for those around the country who are committed to providing quality STEM undergraduate and graduate education for those who have served in this country’s armed forces.”

Participants can expect presentations by speakers who represent the following perspectives:

• Wounded veterans and their transition experiences
• STEM industry representatives who value veterans as employees
• Higher education leaders who recruit and support veterans in their STEM degrees
• Researchers’ insight into effective supports for wounded veterans
• Policy leaders who determine transition protocol to higher education

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Posted in Institute for Human Development School of Computing and Engineering STEM by johnaustin Comments Off on National Science Foundation hosts veterans’ STEM education think tank through UMKC