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How the BSA and LATINO Magazine Are Encouraging Youth to Pursue STEM Careers

by Hayley Cordaro
stem, latino
(l. to r.) Alexandra Guiterman and Carlos Alcazar of Culture ONE World, Les Baron, National Capital Area Council Scout Executive, Maria Dahl, National Office Director of All Markets Strategy, Tony Jimenez, founder and CEO of MicroTech, Alfredo Estrada, publisher of LATINO Magazine, Jose Niño, BSA National Executive Board Member, Michelle and Mark De Mattei, Scout volunteers and parents.

 

Boy Scouts of America partnered with LATINO Magazine to gather business leaders and area Latino students to encourage entering STEM fields for the publication’s sixth annual Nuestro Futuro Latino Education Conference on November 20 in Washington, D.C.

Companies includinh GM, ExxonMobil, AT&T, Lockheed Martin and others have committed to increasing diversity and helping to bridge the skills gap among Latinos in science, technology, engineering and math through various educational programs that engage students and encourage them to pursue the fast-growing STEM fields.

The conference offered an opportunity for young Latino students to see Latino leaders as role models in the field, to engage with them one-on-one and to hear their success stories first-hand. Students were able to listen to various panelists discuss personal challenges, as well as offer advice on educational opportunities, scholarships, mentoring and many other ways organizations like Scouting support Latino youth.

STEM, Latino
Student attendees (center) with (from l. to r.) Blanca Barcelo of the U.S. Coast Guard, Alfredo Estrada of LATINO Magazine, Jed Bhuta of General Motors, and Celeste Carrasco of AT&T.

The BSA is committed to introducing Latino youth to Scouting and encouraging STEM education through the BSA’s STEM programs. José Niño, BSA National Executive Board member, made that connection during the conference lunch session. José highlighted many of the prominent Fortune 500 companies present, referencing their leadership in Scouting: Dr. Robert M. Gates (current BSA President and former Director of Central Intelligence and United States Secretary of Defense); Norman R. Augustine, (former president and CEO of Lockheed Martin); Roy S. Roberts (former group vice president of North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing for GM); Randall Stephenson (current chairman and CEO of AT&T); and Rex Tillerson (current chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil). José pointed out that not only do these men represent “leadership in America,” but they are also all Scouts – confirming the important role Scouting plays in developing leadership skills.

José went on to introduce speaker Tony Jimenez, founder and CEO of MicroTech and vice president of communications and marketing for the National Capital Area Council in Washington, D.C. Tony spoke about his personal experience building his IT company, and offered more proof that Latinos are successful leaders in STEM fields.

Several representatives of the BSA, including National Capital Area Council Scout Executive Les Baron, National Office director of All Markets Strategy Maria Dahl, BSA National Diversity Committee member Carlos Alcazar, and Scout volunteers and parents Michelle and Mark De Mattei, were also part of the conference program.

Learn more about STEM in Scouting and check out the image gallery to the left for more photos from the event.

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Hayley

Hayley Cordaro is a communications specialist at the Boy Scouts of America. She loves sharing inspiring success stories and uncovering new ways volunteers and employees can make the most of their Scouting experience. If you have story ideas or questions, reach out to us at communications@scouting.org.