RALEIGH — State Rep. Erin Paré (R-Wake) was announced as the chair of the House Select Committee on Advancing Women in STEM recently established by House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain).
According to the announcement, the Women in STEM committee will look at issues “related to developing future generations of women leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).”
“Imagination, creativity, and curiosity are essential to innovation,” Paré said in a statement. “Women who pursue careers in STEM not only bring greater diversity to the ideas and solutions in these fields; they innovate and pave the way for future generations of women to follow in their footsteps and drive progress even further.”
“As more tech companies flock to North Carolina, the need for workers in STEM has increased dramatically in our state,” said Paré “My hope is that this committee can find tangible ways to support the women who are interested in these fields and encourage more women to pursue STEM careers in the future.”
Key topics the committee will focus on include:
- Policies, programs, and initiatives that advance the growth and development of women in STEM fields
- Existing barriers to entry in STEM career fields for women and other underrepresented minorities
- The important role women play in economic growth, groundbreaking research, and life-changing innovation
- Benefit of early exposure to future career opportunities in STEM fields
- The advancement of future female leaders in STEM fields through partnerships with North Carolina universities, North Carolina community colleges, nonprofit and private sectors
The committee will have 12 members, with Paré serving as chair. State Rep. Donna White (R-Johnston) will serve as the vice-chair.
A press release indicated the new STEM committee will begin meeting following the end of the legislative short session.
