Dartmouth College Commits $100 Million To Enhance STEM Diversity

Dartmouth College is launching a $100 million plan to increase the representation, success and leadership of historically underrepresented groups in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education.

Dartmouth President Philip J. Hanlon announced the creation of the program, called Dartmouth STEM-X, at a forum for alumni, technology leaders, and entrepreneurs in San Francisco yesterday.

The initiative is being funded in part by a lead gift of $25 million from TPG co-founder Jim Coulter and his wife Penny, along with $35 million in other private gifts to Dartmouth from alumni and leaders in the American technology sector. Dartmouth plans on raising $40 million in additional funds to endow the STEM-X program, which will focus on student diversity in STEM programs, faculty recruitment, and research and scholarship.

“We are acting on two contrary truths—American innovation benefits greatly when diverse perspectives are applied to a problem, and yet the pipeline of advanced-degree recipients in STEM from underrepresented groups falls far short of representation levels in our society,” said Hanlon. “The Coulters join us in tackling this challenge and improving the U.S. innovation ecosystem through the development of a broad-based and diverse talent pool.”

Other major donors include Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe, executive director of the Global Digital Policy Incubator at Stanford University, and her husband, John Donahoe, the CEO of Nike, Inc.; Lou Gerstner, a former chairman of the board and CEO of IBM; and Sally and Bill Neukom, former general counsel for Microsoft.

Private foundations and the federal government are investing hundreds of millions of dollars to boost the number of individuals from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds who major in STEM disciplines and enter the STEM workforce. For example, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute recently announced awards of $60 million to 104 colleges and universities to improve their introductory STEM courses in ways that will attract and benefit students from diverse backgrounds.

Citing data that shows low participation by women, certain minority groups and students with disabilities, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has dozens of grant opportunities to help colleges broaden the preparation of scientists and engineers from diverse backgrounds. Similar efforts are underway at the National Institute of Health, the Department of Energy, the Department of Education and other federal agencies.

The Dartmouth plan is noteworthy because of its extensive integration across the institution. It’s part of Dartmouth’s recently announced “Toward Equity” initiative, a cohesive diversity, equity, and inclusivity strategic plan that cuts across academic and administrative components in the institution.

Dartmouth STEM-X will include several academic enhancements as well as career and graduate school advising and expansion of Dartmouth’s policy of meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for fifth-year bachelor of engineering students.

According to Dartmouth, the Coulters’ gift will be used to unify six undergraduate programs across the arts and sciences, engineering, and the medical school under a new executive director for undergraduate STEM diversity. The gift will also create the Coulter Scholars Program, a 16-member, four-year cohort and academic enrichment experience to recruit and develop the students’ potential in STEM disciplines and prepare them for lives of leadership and impact.

Commenting on his Dartmouth gift, Jim Coulter said, “The stakes for society are high. We must channel the creativity and innovative thinking of today’s students to shape the creation and implementation of new technologies. To meet the challenges of tomorrow we need all the talent we can muster and teach. Dartmouth can do its part by embracing diversity as we recruit and educate future STEM leaders.”

“Jim and I are heartened that Dartmouth is stepping forward to prioritize the development of a strong pipeline of diverse STEM talent,” added Penny Coulter. “Through this gift we hope to help support an equitable system of STEM education that removes obstacles and propels scores of students into impactful careers.”

Dartmouth has long been committed to expanding diverse student representation in STEM disciplines. Among comprehensive research universities, Dartmouth’s Thayer School was the first to graduate a majority female engineering class, and Dartmouth’s computer science graduates are regularly more than 30% women. About 40% of underrepresented students graduate from Dartmouth with a STEM major.

“Underrepresentation in STEM is a systemic problem that requires a systemic solution,” said President Hanlon. “Dartmouth is uniquely positioned to tackle this head on by virtue of our core commitment to inclusivity and the outstanding collaborations between our undergraduate and graduate programs. Enhancing and expanding our existing strengths through STEM-X will allow Dartmouth to be the leader in creating the next generation of scientific leaders that truly represent our world.”