National Science Foundation gives 91制片厂Pro nearly $300,000 to increase female enrollment in STEM


The National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (ATE) is providing nearly $300,000  to 91制片厂Pronical Community College to increase the number of women students enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs through the Power of Us initiative. NSF logo

Power of Us aims to utilize unique female-focused learning opportunities and novel learning tools to increase prospective female students鈥 awareness in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs; increase female enrollment and retention in the targeted CTE programs; and increase the number of skilled, workforce-ready female technical workers. 

The new initiative will utilize the College鈥檚 new makerspace to offer program activities for prospective and current students. Some of the Power of Us activities will include welcome events, female-led tech Tuesday, taste of industry events, summer camps and more.  

The initiative is available for current 91制片厂Pro students and high school students.  

Michele Parrish, an Instructor for Cybersecurity, Networking, and Support Programs at 91制片厂Pro, is leading the efforts for the program. 

Parrish attended 91制片厂Pro in the mid-90鈥檚 and was one of two females in her microcomputer system technology program. 

鈥淚 want to provide support and encouragement in connecting female students with other female mentors in their chosen careers and provide opportunities in male-dominated careers,鈥 said Parrish. 鈥淚 strongly believe in the power of females helping and supporting each other and I want to build that community here at 91制片厂Pro. I want to show females that they can do it.鈥 

Students interested in participating in Power of Us can email Michele Parrish at 辫补谤谤颈蝉丑补蔼诲耻谤丑补尘迟别肠丑.别诲耻鈥 

For more information, contact Desiree Towson, M.S., Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, at allisontowsond@durhamtech.edu