PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (November 23, 2020) – Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) is one of the nation’s top producers of African American undergraduate and graduate engineers, according to recent rankings. Now, one of the world’s largest companies wants to further invest in PVAMU students to help strengthen the pipeline of Black STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) talent.
Dow announced it is devoting $5 million to PVAMU and four other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), including Florida A&M University, Howard University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Southern University, to diversify the number of qualified candidates in the highly sought-after STEM field. These students can take not only Dow but also other businesses to the next level.
“Representation and diverse perspectives are key drivers for innovation and business success,” said Karen S. Carter, chief Human Resources officer and chief Inclusion officer at Dow Inc. “This investment shows our commitment to strengthening and diversifying the American manufacturing and STEM pipeline and attracting a workforce equipped to lead our Company into the future.”
The money from Dow – one of the leading suppliers of chemicals, plastics, synthetic fibers, and agricultural products – would provide programming, partnership, and support for students at PVAMU and the other respective universities. PVAMU has had a longtime collaboration with Dow, primarily through its Roy G. Perry College of Engineering.
“Dow has continued to support the College of Engineering and help ensure that our students are successful,” said Dean Pamela Holland Obiomon, Ph.D. “Its many internships and scholarships have allowed our students the opportunity to grow professionally and focus on education without a heavy financial burden. Donations like these are critical to our faculty and student body, giving them the opportunity to enhance their academic experiences.”
Over the summer, PVAMU senior Jane Olear was chosen by Dow to join other top, underrepresented minority undergraduate students from across the country for the 2020 Dow Diamond Symposium. The three-day event at the company’s Midland, Michigan headquarters allowed for professional and networking opportunities among these future job seekers.
“I hope to garner more development skills, a better understanding of the company’s culture, and network directly with corporate officials,” Olear said before leaving for the conference.
The symposium is just one of many events Dow sponsors as part of its commitment to hiring future global leaders from all backgrounds.
“Dow has supported the university and our students for decades,” said PVAMU Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs James M. Palmer, Ph.D. “Given our history with the company and the current hardships many students are facing as a result of the pandemic, we welcome Dow’s support and their talent development efforts.”
An initial $500,000 contribution has already been made to Dow’s investment to HBCUs as part of the Dow ACTs commitment, which addresses systemic racism and inequality in the areas of advocacy, community, and talent. The company is investing an additional $4.6 million to expand support through 2024 in the following areas:
- Inspiring and attracting underrepresented minorities to STEM disciplines, including supporting the development of teachers and students at schools near its HBCU partners;
- Retaining and developing Black students in STEM by developing curriculums and supporting sustainable chemistry, green chemistry, and functional disciplines, such as supply chain, finance, and engineering;
- Building a Ph.D. pipeline of Black student talentby supporting undergraduate, graduate, and faculty research programs. This includes funding year-long research experiences, providing Dow mentors and networking opportunities, and exposure to industrial research; and
- Investing in the Future of STEM Scholars initiative (FOSSI) by underwriting the education of ten students per year pursuing STEM degrees at HBCUs.
“My friend and colleague recently said: ‘There isn’t a shortage of talented and qualified candidates who happen to be diverse. Leaders just aren’t looking for them.’ We’re not only committed to looking for them; we’re investing in them,” Chairman and CEO Jim Fitterling said on Twitter.
According to Dow, a fully inclusive workplace and world are imperative to effectively doing business as a global company. As the current operator of over 100 manufacturing sites in more than 30 countries, employing approximately 36,500 people, and as the sponsor for this new HBCU initiative, Dow is proof this business model works.
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