On April 12, SHPE took part in the “YOU Belong in STEM” initiative’s second conference at the White House, hosted by the Department of Education. This significant event drew key figures including U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Deputy Secretary Cindy Marten, as well as other members of the Biden-Harris Administration dedicated to improving STEM education for both students and educators.

The conference was a chance for advocates and leaders from across the nation to come together and highlight the strides made towards the initiative, which aims to conclude in 2025. In the opening remarks, various participants who had made significant contributions to the initiative were honored. SHPE was proudly recognized for its achievements, and we had the privilege to speak to both the in-person audience and those tuning in via livestream. We shared our success in exceeding our goal of engaging 7,500 Hispanic youths, reaching a total of 16,888 individuals through SHPE Virtual STEM Labs. Furthermore, we announced our commitment to providing $3.6 million through our ScholarSHPE program by 2025, having already awarded $3.3 million in the first year.

While SHPE will not be launching new projects in 2024, we are committed to achieving our current goal of engaging 2,000 Hispanic parents through our Equipando Padres program by 2025. By strengthening parent involvement, SHPE strives to better equip parents to support their children’s pursuit of STEM careers. Our ultimate goal is to be a valuable resource for those supporting Hispanic students, and we look forward to sharing our successes and insights at the conclusion of the initiative in 2025.

To stay updated on our progress: #YOUBelongIn STEM Progress Report | March 2024