Baker-Polito Administration Appoints STEM Advisory Council for 2017-2018

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito recently appointed 29 members to the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council. The STEM Advisory Council strives to expand access to quality STEM education for students across the Commonwealth.

The STEM Advisory Council began its work under the leadership of the Baker-Polito Administration by undertaking an exploratory process to determine where the Council could have the most impact. The Council endorsed four areas to focus its work:

§  Expand Work-Based Learning Opportunities in STEM Fields

§  Develop and Implement Early College Career Pathways

§  Broaden Access to High-Quality Computer Science and Engineering Education

§  Strengthen and Align the work of the Regional STEM Networks

The first meeting of the 2017-2018 STEM Council Executive Committee took place on Friday, March 24, with Lt. Governor Polito presiding.

“STEM industries continue to grow rapidly across the Commonwealth and help strengthen our nation-leading innovation economy,” said Governor Baker. “In order for Massachusetts to continue capitalizing in STEM, it’s important we continue to expose our students to these industries and I look forward to the work the advisory council will take on this year.”

“I am excited to begin a new term of the STEM Advisory Council alongside my fellow co-chairs, returning members and new additions, as we set out to continue strengthening STEM education for all students,” said STEM Advisory Council Co-Chair and Lt. Governor Polito.“Massachusetts’ STEM economy is strong and growing, and the council is dedicated to continuing our work to train students in these important fields.”

During the next decade, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology estimates that U.S. industries will need one million more STEM graduates than the system is expected to produce. Despite the need, the U.S. Department of Education estimates that just 1 in 6 high school seniors are proficient in math and interested in pursuing STEM higher education or careers.

“The STEM Advisory Council works to ensure all students are prepared to pursue post-secondary degrees or careers in STEM fields,”Secretary James Peyser said. “The members of the Council play a critical role in determining and advancing key initiatives focused on strengthening STEM education and helping to fill the skills gap in high-demand STEM careers.”

Created by M.G.L. Chapter 6, Section 218, the Council brings together representatives from state agencies, the Legislature, public and private sector partners involved with STEM planning and programming.

The following people were appointed, or reappointed, to the STEM Advisory Council:

2017-2018 STEM Advisory Council Members

* designates member of the Council’s Executive Committee

·        U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III* - Co-Chair

·        Jeff Leiden, Chairman, President and CEO, Vertex Pharmaceuticals* - Co-Chair

·        Edmund Beard, Senior Advisor, UMass President’s Office

·        Matthew Beyranevand, K-12 Mathematics Department Coordinator, Chelmsford Public Schools

·        Megan Bird, Massachusetts Executive Director, Citizen Schools

·        Jim Brosnan, Superintendent, McCann Technical High School

·        Al Bunshaft, Senior Vice President, Dassault Systemes

·        Timothy Connelly, Executive Director, MA Tech Collaborative

·        Iris Davis, Section Chief, MA Department of Environmental Protection

·        Lane Glenn, President, Northern Essex Community College

·        Leslie Gould, President and CEO, Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce

·        Sheila Harrity, Superintendent, Montachusetts Regional Vocational Technical District*

·        Matthew Keator, Keator Group LLC

·        Laurie Leshin, President, Worcester Polytechnic Institute*

·        David Mangus, Science Teacher, Brockton High School; 2016 MA STEM Teacher of the Year

·        Rear Admiral Francis McDonald, President, MA Maritime Academy

·        Merribeth Morin, Program Advisor, PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative

·        Travis McCready, President and CEO, MA Life Sciences Center

·        Stephen Pike, CEO and Executive Director, MA Clean Energy Center

·        Lt. Governor Karyn Polito*

·        Marcy Reed, President, National Grid Massachusetts*

·        Jennifer Roecklein-Canfield, Professor and Chair, Chemistry & Physics, Simmons College

·        Dan Shine, Senior Vice President & President, Analytical Instruments at Thermo Fisher Scientific*

·        Mary Skipper, Superintendent, Somerville Public Schools

·        Yvonne Spicer, Vice President, Museum of Science

·        Ellen Spear, President & CEO, Heritage Gardens

·        Steve Vinter, Site Director, Google Cambridge*

·        Kelli Wells, Executive Director of Education, GE Foundation*

·        Meelynn Wong, Associate Director, MetroNorth Regional Employment Board

Ex Officio members

·        Secretary Jay Ash, Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development

·        Rep. Paul Brodeur, Co-Chair, Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

·        Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, Co-Chair, Joint Committee on Education

·        Commissioner Mitchell Chester, Department Elementary and Secondary Education

·        Sen. Jason Lewis, Co-Chair, Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

·        Rep. Alice Peisch, Co-Chair, Joint Committee on Education

·        Secretary James Peyser, Executive Office of Education

·        Commissioner Carlos Santiago, Department of Higher Education

·        Secretary Ronald L. Walker II, Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

·        Commissioner Thomas Weber, Department Early Education and Care

For more information, please visit http://www.mass.edu/stem/home.asp.