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ITT Technical Institute Sponsors STEM Education Caucus Event

Washington, D.C. (March 4, 2015) - ITT Technical Institute sponsored a policy briefing for the U.S. House of Representatives' STEM Education Caucus today to raise awareness of the challenges our nation faces in developing an educated and diverse STEM workforce.

Last year, ITT Tech introduced STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) opportunities to more than 4,500 high school students. For many, it was a student's first exposure to STEM fields, which are now among the nation's most in-demand jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

"ITT Tech's commitment to early career awareness for STEM jobs encourages students to start thinking about a solid postsecondary education plan," said President and COO of ITT Educational Services, Inc., Eugene Feichtner. "Engaging young adults in STEM opportunities typically requires hands-on activities and mentoring - all of which ITT Tech delivers."

Feichtner noted that the opportunities provided by ITT Tech are nationally in demand, and ongoing at more than 130 campuses nationwide, including:

  • Offering degree programs in STEM-related fields where job growth is projected to exceed the national average;
  • Hosting College STEM Career Days that offer hands-on lab and team-building experiences for high school students; and
  • Supporting innovative robotics challenges for middle to high school students in the community, which often rely on qualified volunteers and mentors.

Expanding the reach of STEM opportunities is critical for the United States' economy. STEM job creation over the next 10 years will outpace that of non-STEM significantly, growing 17 percent, as compared to 9.8 percent for non-STEM positions, according to the National Math and Science Initiative.

Currently, about 90 percent of ITT Technical Institute students are enrolled in programs of study in a STEM-related field. Many ITT Tech programs can be completed in two years, with career-related and technical associate degree programs that provide the necessary knowledge and skills to help meet the growing demand for an educated STEM workforce.

ITT Tech also brings high school students on campus and into a lab-based learning environment with faculty during its nationwide College STEM Career Days. These workshops stress the importance and value of pursuing a STEM education, exploring career opportunities and requirements, evaluating college choices, learning about financial aid and participating in interactive STEM demonstrations.

ITT Tech Director of Recruitment Michael Sekol said there is demand for quality STEM opportunities for high school students. At his Youngstown, Ohio, campus, he said area schools are looking for outside guidance and assistance. "Many high schools just don't have the resources to offer STEM electives," he said.

Additionally, ITT Tech supports organizations that are already working in the community, such as FIRST, an organization committed to inspiring young people's interest and participation in science and technology.

Michelle Phelps, an ITT Tech campus director, is on the planning committee for one of the largest FIRST Robotics Competition regional events involving 66 competing teams in Myrtle Beach, S.C. "The local FIRST competition definitely opens doors for mentorship and students' exposure to STEM," she said. "And ITT Tech faculty and students are there to mentor, coach, and volunteer along the way."

At ITT Tech's campus in Henderson, Nev., School of IT Chair Rekha Subramanian and several of her students mentor at schools in the Clark County School District. She's seen middle school students thrive in the team-building experience of robotics competition. "Once you turn the light bulb on, it stays on," she said.

Many of ITT Tech's faculty and students volunteer for STEM programs filling a critical need for national groups looking for mentors. Various national studies show that the likelihood of pursuing a STEM degree increases when combining hands-on science experiences with mentorship, especially for girls and minorities.

With the STEM Education Caucus focused on innovative solutions to a widening skills gap in the nation, ITT Tech helped bring together the following leaders today:

  • Dean Kamen, Chairman and Founder, FIRST
  • Nicole Elam, Vice President, ITT Technical Institute
  • Susie Anderson, Senior Vice President Engineering, Qualcomm
  • Sherita Ceasar, Senior Vice President, National Video Deployment Engineering, Comcast Corporation

The STEM Education Caucus is a bipartisan effort dedicated to improve the way students learn science, technology, mathematics and engineering through legislative efforts and education awareness.

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About ITT Educational Services, Inc.
ITT Educational Services, Inc. (NYSE: ESI) provides technology-oriented undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its accredited postsecondary institutions, ITT Technical Institutes and Daniel Webster College, to help students develop skills and knowledge that they can use to pursue career opportunities in a variety of fields. It owns and operates more than 130 ITT Technical Institutes and Daniel Webster College. ITT/ESI serves approximately 50,000 students at its campuses in 39 states and online. Through the Center for Professional Development @ ITT Technical Institute, ITT/ESI provides short-term information technology and business learning solutions for career advancers and other professionals. Headquartered in Carmel, IN, ITT/ESI has been actively involved in the higher education community since 1969 and can be found online at www.ittesi.com.