High School Alliance wins diversity award

The 2018 High School Alliance students

The 2018 High School Alliance students

UNMC’s High School Alliance program has received the 2018 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education.

The Inspiring Programs in STEM Award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). UNMC will be featured, along with 77 other recipients, in the September 2018 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

Inspiring Programs in STEM Award winners were selected by INSIGHT Into Diversity based on efforts to inspire and encourage a new generation of young people to consider careers in STEM through mentoring, teaching, research, and successful programs and initiatives.

“We are humbled and honored to be selected as a recipient of this prestigious award,” said Heidi Kaschke, director of the High School Alliance. “Winning this award was a total team effort.”

Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dele Davies, M.D., said he was pleased with the national recognition for the impact the UNMC High School Alliance has had.

“As a major health STEM pipeline for students in the Greater Omaha area, it is notable that the success of the program is equivalent for students regardless of their background,” he said. “This speaks to the innovation and value added by all the UNMC faculty, staff, graduate students, the OPS teachers who are part of the program and Heidi Kaschke’s directorship of the program.

“We are also very grateful for the long-term and stable support of the Sherwood Foundation and partnership of all the Greater Omaha school districts,” Dr. Davies said.

Kaschke thanked the UNMC faculty leading courses for the program, the UNMC staff and students who support the program, area high school teachers who work with the program through UNMC’s partnership with Omaha Public Schools, all of the participating school districts and their students who participate in the program, and The Sherwood Foundation, the primary funder of the program.

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected the UNMC High School Alliance because 35-40 percent of its students qualify for free and reduced lunch, and because of the program’s success both during and after students complete their course of study. More than 70 percent of students who complete the High School Alliance choose a health science major in college.

“We know that many STEM programs are not always recognized for their success, dedication, and mentorship for underrepresented students,” said Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “We want to honor the schools and organizations that have created programs that inspire and encourage young people who may currently be in or are interested in a future career in STEM. We are proud to honor these programs as role models to other institutions of higher education and beyond.”

1 comment

  1. Tanya Custer says:

    Nice work! This is a great group of students!!

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