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UR Kearns Center Forges New Path for Minorities into Science, Engineering

October 11, 2002 --The chronic and systemic under representation of people of color in the sciences and engineering is acknowledged as a failing of American education and business. To set a new course, the University of Rochester will create a framework of programs and support to recruit and retain underrepresented minorities on their way to achieving master's and doctoral degrees in those fields.

The David T. Kearns Center for Leadership and Diversity in Science and Engineering takes its inspiration from the University alumnus and trustee, innovator as Xerox CEO and deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, and visionary championing the importance of diversity in the workplace. Nearly $1.5 million has been raised for the center, which is being launched this fall.

As its mission, the center seeks to radically increase the numbers of underrepresented minority students who earn masters and doctoral degrees in science and engineering at Rochester. Eventually, the center will house programs in support of underrepresented minority students from high school through the doctoral degree, and thus initiate a cultural transformation in higher education on a national scale.