Statement from Chancellor Zimpher on White House Science Fair
May 27, 2014
SUNY’s STEM Initiatives Align with President Obama’s “Educate To Innovate” Vision
“Today I had the unique opportunity to view projects by students from across the country at the White House Science Fair. From second graders, to high school seniors, to cabinet secretaries, to the President of the United States, this fourth annual gathering was a true who’s who in advancing STEM nationwide.
“President Obama’s continued focus on the STEM disciplines for this year’s event, and the new Educate to Innovate components he outlined today, are critical given the rapidly increasing demand for scientific expertise and critical thinking in today’s workforce.
“In New York, STEM careers are growing 2.5 times faster than other fields. SUNY is proud to be partnering with the New York Academy of Sciences, communities across the state, and K-12 schools to inspire young students in these disciplines. SUNY partnerships, led by the Global STEM Alliance and our cradle to career initiatives, and our implementation of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Master Teacher and STEM Scholarship Programs, fully align public higher education in New York with the president’s Educate To Innovate vision.
“With 2.4 million STEM job openings anticipated nationally before 2018, continued work in our home states and as a national collective is absolutely crucial.”
Chancellor Zimpher, White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, and U.S. Secretary for Education Arne Duncan at the 2014 Science Fair
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2023, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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Holly Liapis
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