CARY, N.C., July 24, 2019 — Today’s hottest careers are in analytics, data science and STEM, areas where African-Americans continue to be underrepresented. Historically black colleges and universities are striving to change that, and analytics company SAS has pledged to help. From a commitment to pre-K expansion and early literacy, to free analytics software and training for educators and students, SAS is helping more young people of color seize exciting career opportunities.
In the spring, SAS accepted the HBCU Partnership Challenge, a commitment by companies to incorporate HBCUs into their diversity and inclusion efforts. The challenge was created by the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus, which was founded and is co-chaired by US Rep. Alma Adams, two-time HBCU alum and representative for the 12th District of North Carolina. SAS will join Rep. Adams and many prominent members of Congress at this week’s HBCU Diversity in Tech Summit, hosted by Howard University.
“HBCUs contribute nearly $15 billion to our annual economy and have provided pathways of opportunity to millions of Americans, many of whom are first generation college students. Despite being historically underfunded and under-resourced, these institutions continue to produce top talent, including 40 percent of my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus,” said Congresswoman Adams. “That is why the Diversity in Tech Summit is so important. There is no workplace diversity, especially within the tech industry, without HBCUs. I am proud to host the second annual Diversity in Tech Summit, and work with companies like SAS to build a well-prepared workforce that is diverse and inclusive.”
HBCUs comprise 3% of all colleges and universities yet produce 24% of undergraduate degrees nationwide awarded to African-American students. Nearly 300,000 students attend the more than 100 HBCUs in America. Those universities account for more than one-third of all black STEM degree earners and produce 42% of black engineers, including more than 47% of black women engineers.
To support these schools and students and fulfill its pledge, SAS supports HBCUs in several meaningful ways.
SAS partners with the American Statistical Association (ASA) Committee on Minorities in Statistics to increase diversity in the field of statistics. By participating in related events and programs, the company shares career opportunities in statistics with underrepresented communities, including HBCU students and students of color.
The company works with North Carolina Central University and North Carolina A&T to increase early-career and intern talent pipelines.
SAS attends a variety of local and national events to recruit HBCU students and students of color, including the annual HBCU Career Development Marketplace, where more than 400 HBCU students network with potential employers.
In 2018, the SAS Black Initiatives Group hosted its first SAS HBCU STEM Connect event. The event featured panel discussions, tech talks, networking and a keynote delivered by SAS executives – giving HBCU students an opportunity to learn more about SAS, analytics and potential STEM career paths.