On December 19, 2023, Dayna L. Martínez, Senior Director of Research & Impact, represented SHPE in a panel discussion before President Biden’s Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics. The Commission advises the President, through the Secretary of Education, on matters related to educational equity and economic opportunity for the Hispanic and Latino community.

During the panel “Accelerating Latino Student Learning and Success with Community and Data,” Dr. Martínez briefed the commissioners, members of the U.S. Department of Education, White House Hispanic Initiative, and community advocates on SHPE’s accomplishments. She identified areas of opportunity to further narrow the gap between the Hispanic community and STEM. By leveraging data findings in the 2023 SHPE-LDC U.S. Latinos in Engineering & Tech Report and our “YOU Belong In STEM” Initiative Commitments, Dr. Martínez spoke about intentional approaches to ensure our STEM workforce attracts and retains more Hispanics, creating economic mobility opportunities in line with STEM employment projections.

SHPE’s recommendations to the commission result from our unique position to address upcoming workforce challenges. With our extensive network of industry and academic partners and real-time understanding of our community’s needs, SHPE is well-equipped to optimize investments aimed at broadening the participation of groups like ours. SHPE is honored to have been invited to speak during this public meeting and recognized as a strong stakeholder in raising the bar in STEM education and workforce development advocating for the Hispanic community.