BIPOC STEM Scholarship and Mentorship Initiative: A Community Based Approach to Expanding Access and Equity in STEM Education

Author

• Raymond Davis Jr., Clark UniversityFollow

Date

5-2026

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration for Senior Leadership

Department

School of Professional Studies

Chief Instructor

Mary M. Piecewicz, MBA, MSPC, PMP

Keywords

BIPOC, STEM, Education, Mentoring, Scholarship, underprivaleged youth, intervention

Abstract

Across the United States, persistent inequities continue to limit access to Science,  Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education for Black, Indigenous, and  People of Color (BIPOC) students. Despite increased national attention toward diversity,  equity, and inclusion over the past decade, measurable improvements in participation,  retention, and degree completion in STEM fields have not kept pace. These disparities  remain deeply rooted in structural inequalities that influence educational access, resource  distribution, and long-term career opportunities.

The issue is frequently described as a“pipeline problem,”suggesting that students enter  STEM pathways but fail to persist through to completion. While this metaphor is useful, it  oversimplifies the complexity of the issue. The challenge is not simply that the pipeline  leaks; rather, it is unevenly constructed from the beginning. Students from  underrepresented communities often start their academic journeys with fewer  opportunities, less exposure to STEM careers, and limited access to mentorship and  professional networks. These early disadvantages compound over time, creating barriers  that become increasingly diƯicult to overcome.

At the local level, these national trends are clearly reflected in Worcester, Massachusetts.  Worcester Public Schools serve a highly diverse student population, with a significant  percentage of students identifying as members of historically underrepresented groups.  Over the past decade, the district has made substantial investments in educational  infrastructure, including the construction and renovation of multiple high schools designed  to support advanced STEM programming and career technical education pathways.

Recommended Citation

Davis, Raymond Jr., "BIPOC STEM Scholarship and Mentorship Initiative: A Community Based Approach to Expanding Access and Equity in STEM Education" (2026). Master of Public Administration for Senior Leadership. 5.
https://commons.clarku.edu/mpasl/5

Worcester

Yes