On Thursday, January 29, the Indiana Professional Chapter hosted STEM for the Bold: Indianapolis Advocacy Day, meeting with city and state leaders to highlight the critical role of SHPE professionals in driving innovation, workforce readiness, and regional economic growth. The discussions also reinforced the chapter’s vision of bringing the 2026 SHPE National Convention to Indianapolis, a goal years in the making that will spotlight Indiana as a hub for STEM talent and industry investment.
As SHPE National evaluates convention sites, factors such as accessibility, infrastructure, and long-term economic impact take precedence, making Indiana an ideal location for industry and workforce growth. With state chapters preparing to host this year’s convention, raising awareness among students, professionals, businesses, and government leaders is essential. The event not only attracts thousands of attendees seeking career development opportunities but also positions Indiana as a destination for high-skill STEM careers and corporate expansion.
During meetings, chapter representatives met with Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration and city and state officials to share data on the measurable impact of SHPE Indiana’s professional programming. Through youth engagement, parent involvement, and professional development programs, the chapter directly supports the state’s projected 2.9% STEM workforce growth, expected to add nearly 168,000 skilled new roles by 2028.
Programs like Noche de Ciencias and Equipando Padres were presented as models of early STEM engagement. These initiatives strengthen K-12 partnerships, encourage career exploration, and equip families to support students pursuing technical education, aligning with statewide efforts to develop a robust talent pipeline.
Members also emphasized talent retention through initiatives such as ScholarSHPE and MentorSHPE. Sustaining Indiana’s STEM ecosystem depends on mentorship, career guidance, and leadership development that help professionals thrive at every stage of their careers. These programs create a continuous pipeline of skilled, career-ready individuals whose growth benefits not only their own trajectories but also the broader STEM workforce and the regional economy.
Building on this foundation, members highlighted the transformative impact of SHPE’s National Convention. Beyond advancing individual careers, the Convention serves as a hub for networking, skill-building, and cross-sector collaboration. Hosting the event in Indianapolis would connect local talent with national opportunities, elevate the city’s STEM profile, and generate measurable economic value through workforce development and long-term industry investment.
STEM for the Bold captures the spirit of the Indiana Professional Chapter’s mission of connecting people to meaningful careers, expanding pathways into high-demand fields, and fueling a stronger, innovation-driven economy. As Indianapolis continues to emerge as a national center for STEM talent and industry growth, this vision underscores a shared commitment to building opportunity, advancing competitiveness, and shaping a bold future for all Hoosiers.
Photography credits: Chapital Photography
