SECME:: Lighting the Torch to Empower Future Leaders

SECME is a strategic alliance to renew and strengthen the professional capacity of K-12 educators, motivate and mentor students, and empower parents so that all students can learn and achieve at higher levels.

Our Mission
SECME's goal is to increase the pool of historically under-represented,* geographically under-served, and differently abled students who will be prepared to enter and complete post-secondary studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), thus creating a diverse and globally competitive workforce.

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Profile
SECME is a STEM Pre-College Program founded in 1975 as the "Southeastern Consortium for Minorities in Engineering" by the Deans of Engineering at six southeastern universities. This unique alliance of K-12 educators, universities, industry and parents was intended to resolve two pressing issues which persist today:

Engineering and STEM postsecondary enrollment levels insufficient to sustain our economy and meet current or projected demands of American industry and government
Inequitable representation among minorities and women in the STEM workforce.

The SECME mission is: To increase the pool of historically under-represented and under-served students who will be prepared to enter and complete post-secondary studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), thus creating a diverse and globally competitive workforce.

SECME’s primary strategy for accomplishing the mission is teacher professional development, such that teachers deliver engaging, career-relevant math and science instruction to peak student interest and improve academic performance. This teacher-centered SECME model is enhanced with the support of 37 SECME Member Universities; Empowering Parents to Excel at Parenting, or (EP)2, SECME’s parent engagement and education initiative; and SECME Industry partners. In addition to enhanced classroom learning and parent engagement, students also participate in a variety of after-school and campus-based activities and engineering/STEM competitions as part of their SECME experience. SECME National Headquarters provides all partners with technical assistance in program implementation, professional development and a clearinghouse of STEM best-practices. The outcome – a diverse pool of talented, college-ready students moving successfully through the university, corporate and government STEM pipeline.

While SECME targets underrepresented students, we serve all students. SECME programs are implemented in more than 50 school districts in 15 states and the District of Columbia, with documented success. A 2008 survey of SECME students showed that ninety six (96%) percent of SECME high school seniors, on average planned and did enroll in a four-year college. SECME African American and Hispanic juniors and seniors scored an average of 134 points higher on the SAT Math test than the national averages for the same populations. Composite SAT scores averaged 318 points higher for SECME African Americans and Hispanics.

SECME ExxonMobil Scholars

Each year SECME seniors from around the nation compete to become the SECME ExxonMobil Scholar for their home state, which then makes them eligible to be selected SECME Overall Scholar for the nation. All SECME Scholars receive cash awards provided by ExxonMobil Foundation.

"Reaching out now to America’s under-represented middle and high school students is the smartest step the U.S. can take to secure its economic future," said Truman Bell, program officer for education and diversity, ExxonMobil.

Over the last ten years, ExxonMobil has given more than $2 million for SECME programs and scholarships.

SECME 2008 Student Data
Miami-Dade SECME Program

* African American, Hispanic, Mexican American, Native American, Pacific Islander and "differently abled".