Kalc C. Vang

Advances in Minnesota’s high technology industries are creating a growing need for a highly skilled technical workforce with strong science, technology, engineering and mathematic (STEM) skills. The Twin Cities area is home to over 80,000 Hmong residents—considered one of the largest and fastest-growing Asian communities in the area. The number of Hmong students pursuing careers in STEM is one of the lowest in the state. 

The focus of my fellowship will be to develop a systematic program that will expand and bridge the gap between STEM education and Hmong students in order to educate and expose them to areas of study they typically do not pursue at an early stage. I want to encourage and support them to pursue higher education in a professional STEM-related career.