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Congressman Cohen Questions Experts in Promoting Diversity in Scientific and Technical Disciplines

May 9, 2019

Science Committee examines diversifying the STEM workforce

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, questioned witnesses at a hearing today looking at achieving the promise of a diverse workforce by encouraging minority students to consider studying the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines. Congressman Cohen asked the witnesses about the role of scholarships in promoting diversity in those disciplines. See his exchange with the hearing witnesses here.

The witnesses at the hearing were:

  • Dr. Mae Jemison, Principal, 100 Year Starship, and Chair of the Committee on Addressing the Underrepresentation of Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine;
  • Dr. Shirley Malcom, Senior Advisor and Director of SEA Change at the American Association for the Advancement of Science;
  • Dr. Lorelle Espinosa, Vice President for Research at the American Council on Education;
  • Ms. Barbara Whye, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Vice President of Human Resources at Intel; and
  • Dr. James L. Moore III, Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer at The Ohio State University.

As a state senator, Congressman Cohen worked to initiate and pass the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship program to fund college scholarships, after-school programs, and pre-K education for Tennessee's students. Since the inception of the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship program in 2004, more than $5 billion has gone to Tennessee students continuing their education at the college level.