The Public Policy Leadership Team is exciting to serve our members and support the NSBE mission and strategic goals. We welcome thoughtful and inspired members to join us as thought leaders and change agents advocating for reform, policy, equity, and justice.
Mission/Goals of Policy SIG
The Public Policy Special Interest Group (PolySIG) mission is to study, discuss, educate, and advise on public policy issues affecting Black engineers and scientists in academia, industry, government, and public communities. Our goal is to affect positive change as a Society in STEM-related policies in education, the workforce, and the world. To achieve this goal, PolySIG has four specific areas of focus - 1) STEM Education, 2) Tech & Innovation, 3) Social Justice & Community Empowerment, and 4) Policy Research.
Ways to get Involved
If you are interested in learning more about the SIG and opportunities to participate in upcoming events and/or assist with this year’s policy efforts, please complete this ONLINE FORM. For more information regarding other ways to actively participate in the Public Policy SIG, please contact Ms. Rosalina Bray at policydirector@nsbe.org..
2020 - 2021 Goals
- Goal 1: Develop and coordinate programming that seeks to educate and advice NSBE SIG members, NSBE members, and the community on public policy issues that are relevant to the NSBE mission.
- Goal 2: Encourage and train NSBE members to become engaged in advocacy and policy initiatives.
- Goal 3: Support, advice, and inform NSBE leadership and groups on opportunities and threats related to policy matters.
- Goal 4: Work to propose new paradigms in STEM Education that benefit our communities.
- Goal 5: Develop and sustain relationships with key partners/organizations.
- Goal 6: Support and develop collegiate NSBE Public Policy SIG members who are engaged in advocacy efforts or who seek to learn more about policy development.
- Goal 7: Increase visibility and awareness of the activities and interest of the NBSE Public Policy SIG.
- Goal 8: Support NSBE members who are actively engaged in building or sustaining meaningful advocacy efforts or STEM programs that align with the Public Policy SIG’s Focus Areas or Project Teams.
- Goal 9: Support the NSBE Call to Justice and Equity Initiative.
Focus Areas
Five project team areas help Public Policy SIG advance its mission and goals. Project Team focus areas and goals are listed below:
STEM Education Project Team
- Provides a voice for minority STEM professionals to be involved in STEM Education policy reform & advocacy.
- Engages leaders from various stakeholder groups (e.g. government, industry, academia, etc.) who are integral to STEM advocacy efforts.
- Educates members & the community on STEM policy.
- Provides guidance on policies & recommendations which address outcomes for underrepresented students in STEM; closing the achievement and attainment gap; and STEM curriculum.
Federal Agent Engagement Project Team
- Provides pathways for participation in federal agencies that provide education-related funding, and who engage in activities related to workforce development and STEM education.
- Identifies potential partnerships or funding opportunities that leverage monetary and non-monetary resources from federal agencies and their subsidiaries.
- Facilitates the involvement of NSBE membership in agency-led focus groups and advisory committees/councils.
Policy Research Team
- Leads the charge on conducting research related to the national organization’s short and long-term goals.
- Collaborates with other project teams and SIG groups to develop policy position papers that represent the collective voice of all relevant groups, and work with NSBE leadership to communicate any policy changes/decisions to the membership.
- Partners with external organizations, groups, and individuals researching policies impacts and outcomes.
Technology & Innovation Project Team
- Coordinates a forum for discussions on Technology & Innovation topics related to policy.
- Serves as Subject Matter Experts on Technology & Innovation topics.
- Provides a wealth of knowledge and solutions on barriers in technology and innovation that lead to gaps.
- Seeks to close the gap in technology & innovation by communicating the problem and possible solutions.
- Collaborates with other project teams and SIG groups to develop policy position papers that represent the collective voice of all relevant groups, and work with NSBE leadership to communicate any policy changes/decisions to the membership.
- Partners with external organizations that advocate for technology & innovation diversity, inclusion, and opportunities.
Social Justice & Community Engagement
- Leads the charge on keeping NSBE members informed of social justice issues.
- Leads the Advocacy Training Series to direct members on proper engagement and activism.
- Engages with the community and NSBE Public Policy SIG partners on justice and policy issues related to the NSBE mission.
- Informs NSBE Policy SIG members of the legal and justice issues related to Education, Science, and Technology.
- Collaborates with other Public Policy Project Teams and NSBE SIG groups to develop policy address represent the collective voice of all relevant groups, and work with NSBE leadership to communicate any policy changes/decisions to the membership.
- Partners with external organizations that can strengthen the communities, and therefore advocacy efforts of the Public Policy SIG.
Public Policy Special Interest Group Director
Ms. Bray is a national and international leader in Science Policy, Public Health, and STEM Education. In addition to her work in STEM areas, she is an entrepreneur in the leadership training space; and also advices technology companies on resource management and organizational structure.
Over the past 25 years as a member of NSBE, she has held various leadership positions which included serving on the NSBE Region II Board, President of the NSBE DC Professionals Chapter, and Public Policy SIG Research Director.
For more information regarding the Public Policy SIG, send a message to nsbepolicy@nsbe.org.