2020 GlobalMindED
The Future of Work is Diverse, Inclusive, Just and Equitable
GlobalMindED closes the equity gap by creating a capable, diverse talent pipeline through connections to role models, mentors, internships for low-income students, returning adults, First Gen to college and inclusive leaders who teach them, work with them and hire them.
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Mr. Aaron Cortes is an advocate of promoting STEM/STEAM education, international access and college readiness for low income and first generation college bound/college-enrolled students at Northeastern Illinois University. |
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What is your personal story and how did you end up in your field ?
I serve as the Director of STEM initiatives at Northeastern Illinois University with the purpose and objective to support underrepresented minorities to prepare for successful completion of a post secondary degree in STEM fields. I made it here in some way by random luck or perhaps by an unintended personal decision. My path towards the role I currently hold began with the migration of my family to Chicago from Mexico City in 1996. The story begins with the difficulties of adapting to an American culture and society that had an array of environments many of which seem complementary but unfortunately they were perceived in competition or against each other.
Throughout my educational and societal experience, I began to experience racism, lack of cultural awareness, biases due to socioeconomic status and a very defined otherness. Due to a number of examples where others or me were mistreated or misunderstood I realized that it was imperative to
work to change the environment in which I was growing up. Some of this participation occurred in college social justice clubs, mentoring/tutoring and engaging in constructive dialogue to change
incorrect perceptions or information. It was not until I traveled for school to Brazil and China that my emphasis focused on education as a main component to bring forth equality, access and inclusion to those that are the most disadvantaged in society. I returned to the United States with a mission to support communities of color and disadvantaged groups. This trajectory has spanned for now 12 years developing financial resources to fund first generation and low income youth to prepare for college success while developing STEM skill/capacities as well as developing global experience through our abroad STEM for social impact initiatives.
As a STEM equity advocate, how do you see STEM fields growing and attracting people from minority backgrounds, nationally and internationally, especially during these tumultuous times?
STEM is just another tool to bring forth equality access and inclusion across societies. The current status of the STEM field and profession is not favorable to communities of color and underrepresented minorities. It is in fact one of the areas with the lowest increase of diversity but the highest growth on job market opportunities. Our approach to promoting STEM is about delivering holistic growth in our program participants by supporting interest and changing any negative perceptions of the content or field. We attract POC from underserved communities by sharing our personal experience, reflecting the communities we serve by the staff that works in the program as well as by making STEM fun, accessible and an additional skill for any career.
We are very certain that in order to grow the number of POC and individuals from disadvantaged communities to the field of STEM we need to make sure that multiple stakeholders are involved so that initiatives have long lasting impacts and that they are sustainable. The field of STEM will continue to grow as we see technology developing at a rate never seen before and science being a factor necessary to combat epidemics and global warming. In order for us to be impactful by increasing the number of POCs and underrepresented communities especially during a pandemic is to continue to offer services, opportunities, access. The field has not changed. What has changed is the approach of delivery and it is up to us to provide the basic human rights of access so that POCs can continue to receive services and develop their skills.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month Mean to you?
Hispanic Heritage month is about sharing our amazing cultures and providing an alternative to negative rhetoric about Latinos/Latinx in the US. It is a moment to share with mainstream society about our impact on this nation and how we support and love this nation. It is also a moment for us as a large community to denounce the injustices and institutional structures that negatively impact us. It is also a moment for Latino/x to change any negative perception we have of each other and share each other's fascinating and amazing cultures.
Bio:
Aaron Cortes serves as the Director of the STEM initiatives at the Center for College Access and Success of Northeastern Illinois University. In this capacity, he directs the TRIO Upward Bound, TRIO
Upward Bound Math and Science and 21st Century Community of Learning Centers. Mr. Cortes also supports the development and implementation of STEM/STEAM programming for students, teachers, educators and administrators across the University.
Mr. Cortes is an advocate of promoting STEM/STEAM education, international access and college readiness for low income and first generation college bound/college-enrolled students. Due to his
engagement, he has been a two-term president of the Illinois TRIO association, the current President of the midwest Educational Opportunity Association and a board member of the Council for
Opportunity on Education.
In addition, Mr. Cortes also engages in collaborative work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Kika De la Garza Fellowship, Khan Academy Ambassador program, SAEOPP Center Priority Training, Chicago STEM Pathways Cooperative, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation as STEM Specialist, Virtual Educa/EducaSTEAM of the Organization of American States and the collaborator of the Pan American Development Foundation.
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Click to view the most recent webinars: |
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Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: Diverse College Presidents Talk About First 6 Weeks of School: Dr. Ryan Ross; Assoc. V. Chancellor Student Affairs, Equity, & Inclusion, Colorado Community College System moderates. Panelists include Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston President, Norfolk State University, Dr. E. LaBrent Chrite President, Bethune-Cookman University, Dr. Annette Parker President, South Central College, Minnesota State, Dr. Miles Davis President, Linfield University, and Dr. Michael Torrence President, Motlow State College
Hispanic Language Heritage Language Assets for Career Preparedness: Department of Education, Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) and GlobalMindED, moderated by Lorena Orozco McElwain; OELA, Panelists include: Carol Carter; GlobalMindED, Felícita Solá-Carter; Excellence in Government Program, Oscar Fraire; University of Colorado Denver student, Patty Lopez; Intel Corporation, and Adrian Rosado; Cultural Clarity Experience.
Hispanic Language Heritage: Retention of Heritage Culture and Language(s) US Department of Education, Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) and GlobalMindED, and panelists celegrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. Lorena Orozco and Supreet Anand of OELA, Cristina Alfaro; San Diego State University, Luis Benitez; VF Corporation, Clotilde Dedecker; Circle of Women, Joe Garcia; Ohkay OwinghTribe, and Dr.Joel Comez; Center for Applied Logistics
Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: A Conversation on Race, Isms, Justice, Moving Forward and the Role White People Need to Play: Ryan Ross; Associate Vice Chancellor: Student Affairs, Equity, and Inclusion, Colorado Community College System leads the conversation with Clifton Taulbert; President and CEO, Freemount Corporation and Roots Java Coffee, Javon Brame; Dean of Students, Arapahoe Community College, Chelsea Williams; Founder & CEO, College Code LLC, and Representative Leslie Herod; Legislator, Colorado General Assembly
Equity in Engineering Programs: Priming the STEM Pipeline During and After COVID-19: Dr. Dora Renaud, Sr. Director of Academic Programs & Professional Development, SHPE: Leading Hispanics in STEM, Melanie Suarez, Student, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Mechanical Engineering, Nicolas Valencia Diaz, Student, Florida International University, Biomedical Engineering, Sophia Plata, PhD Student, University of Southern California, Environmental Engineering
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To view the recent Rural sessions, please see our YouTube channel:
Native American Business Opportunities, Tribal Economic Development and Post-secondary Education/Workforce Participation: J.C. Whorton, Jr.; Consultant, Lecturer, Author and Adjunct Faculty, University of Colorado Boulder, Don Kelin; President, Fox Professional Services, Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce, Matt Rantanen; Director of Technology, Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association, Tribal Digital Village Network Initiative, and Melvin Monette; CEO, Indigenous Education, Inc.
Fortifying Native Students, Faculty and Communities During and After COVID-19: Ron Lessard (Mohawk); Acting Exec. Director, White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education leads panel including Diana Cournoyer; Oglala Sioux Tribe, Executive Director, National Indian Education Association, Michael Chamberlain; Special Assistant for Rural Outreach, US Department of Education, Carrie L. Billy; President & CEO, American Indian Higher Education Consortium, and features a performance by Ava Rose Johnson; Student and Musician, Native American Music Awards Winner
Rural Innovations in Education During COVID-19: Anne Trujillo; Anchor 7News, Denver moderates the panel which includes Tina Goar; Executive Director, San Luis Valley BOCES, Dr. Robert Mitchell; Asst. Professor of Leadership, Research, and Foundations, UCCS, Luis Murillo; Principal, Skoglund Middle School, and Samantha Yocam; Superintendent and Principal, Kim School District
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THE FLYOVER NATION
Energy's Role in a Troubled Heartland
By J.C. Whorton
A unique and timely discussion of the challenging issues facing the country’s troubled Heartland.
Since the beginning of westward expansion into the Heartland’s vast regions, natural resource development has played a historic role in shaping its communities. Today, domestic oil and gas development offers one of the strongest prospects for the Heartland’s present and future prosperity as well as the nation’s re-emergence as a dominant player in the global energy economy.
The U.S. is now the world’s largest producer of crude oil and natural gas, two circumstances that are universally disrupting international geopolitical order. The earth has a finite supply of natural resources and a rapidly growing and over consuming population.
As America positions itself for a very uncertain and constantly evolving global marketplace, will the Heartland become America’s “great connector” or “great divide”?
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J.C. Whorton is a senior level energy and financial professional with over forty years of essential experience. Having a ranching and Native American heritage, Mr. Whorton is a strong advocate for rural education and economic development initiatives.
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Links to read about Inclusive Leaders, many of whom are African American and people of color:
Curated sessions from GlobalMindED 2020 YouTube channel:
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From the Center for Positive Organizations:
From the Economist:
From Forbes:
From Harvard Business Review:
From the World Academy of Art & Science and UN; Geneva Global Leadership in the 21st Century econference:
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Listen here for an interview with Pam Newkirk, GlobalMindED speaker and author of Diversity Inc.: The Failed Promise of a Billion- Dollar Business.
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Responding to Crisis
The 30-Day Justice Plan
As the reset of America is underway, understanding the role you can play in a system of change can be difficult, but we encourage you to listen, learn and be active. To start, instead of, say, a juice cleanse, feed your brain and move yourself with this practical plan over the next month. Here's our guide of what to read, watch, listen to and do in order to be part of the solution.
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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
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GlobalMindED and the SDG Impact Fund are delighted to announce GlobalMindED's Donor Advised Fund. 2020 is the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations and the 25th Anniversary of the Beijing Women's Declaration and Action Platform. Many from around the world are thinking of 2020 as the gateway to our most vital decade for delivering equity, the Sustainable Development Goals, and a world where all can thrive. Our key time for these outcomes is 2020-2030.
GlobalMindED DAF and the SDG Impact Fund are a powerful combined force for good as the 2019 year comes to a close and we reflect on the gratitude and the commitments we make to the causes we care most about. The DAF offers immense power and flexibility for giving prior to the year's end as you plant seeds of generous intention for 2020 and the decade ahead.
When you contribute to GlobalMindED, you support First Gen students. We have served more than 400 students by connecting them to role models, mentors, internships and jobs. Your generous support will allow us to take our work 10x and reach these talented students at scale who lack the resources and support we provide. Your support also helps teachers who can't afford the conference fees, faculty at colleges which are under resourced and students who persist at those universities despite food insecurity and/or housing insecurity.
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Meet GlobalMindED Founder, Carol Carter as interviewed by Tim Moore on his podcast Success Made to Last: From Success to Significance
Listen to Part 1 of Carol's interview
Listen to Part 2 of Carol's interview
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Recent GlobalMindED Newsletter Profiles:
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Since 2006 when the flagship TGR Learning Lab opened its doors in Anaheim, CA, TGR Foundation has had a lot to celebrate, including its most recent milestone of one million students impacted by TGR EDU: Explore, alone.
Developed in partnership with Discovery Education, TGR EDU: Explore is a free digital resource library that offers interactive web experiences, lesson plans, training videos and tools for educators, students and families to explore new disciplines and gain skills for a modern and expanding workforce.
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As you start the New Year, are you looking for ways to re-engineer your classroom culture? Check out Designing the Future: How Engineering Builds Creative Critical Thinking in the Classroom. The associated website has lots of activities, projects, and resources you can implement immediately. Our fall workshops using the book as a roadmap for change have been highly successful. Start designing the future today - try using the customized Study Guide for a book study in your PLC. Or contact ProjectEngin or Solution Tree to learn how you can bring professional development based on Ann's book to your school, district, or conference.
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