To address these challenges, Digital Promise and local partners launched the San Diego STEM Pathways initiative, which advocates for learners to access inclusive STEM pathways that support their career paths at a systemic and curriculum level through cross-sector partnerships.
We believe that cross-sector partnerships are critical for creating meaningful and lasting change for historically and systematically excluded learners. To this end, we are thrilled to announce the new San Diego STEM Pathways Community Advisory Committee (CAC). This diverse, 14-member committee brings together a rich tapestry of voices from across the San Diego community, including early childhood education, K-12, postsecondary, workforce development, community-based organizations, and philanthropy.
Dr. Alberto "Beto" Vasquez,
Director of STEM Engagement & Community Outreach,
UC San Diego CREATE
Dr. Cristina Aguirre,
Chief Programs Officer,
Barrio Logan College Institute
Dr. Mark Sanchez,
Superintendent/President,
Southwestern College
Eileen Bagg-Rizzo,
Director, College and Career Readiness,
Grossmont Union High School District
Howard Chen,
Education Consultant
Biocom California Institute
Jane Schlosberg,
Leadership Team,
Classroom of the Future Foundation
Dr. Jennifer Burks,
Superintendent,
Solana Beach School District
Jennifer W. Hardy,
Association Program Specialist of Child and Youth Development, YMCA of San Diego County
Mauricio Torre,
Executive Vice President, SBCS
Matthew R. Tessier,
Assistant Superintendent, Innovation,
San Diego County Office of Education
Michelle Jaramillo,
Director, Education Initiatives
San Diego Foundation
Dr. Morgan Appel,
Assistant Dean for Education and Community Outreach, University of California,
San Diego
Pamela Reichert-Montiel,
Assistant Superintendent,
Educational Leadership,South Bay Union School District
Sarah Tuakli Cooper,
Executive Director,
Elementary Institute of Science
“The formation of the inaugural Community Advisory Committee ensures that our efforts are rooted in community perspectives and values and that the pathways reflect the priorities and aspirations of learners and their families. Looking toward the future, inclusive innovation and cross-sector partnerships will be vital to achieve sustainable transformation at scale—and we look forward to shaping the future of learning and workforce together.” – Jean-Claude Brizard, president and CEO of Digital Promise
The CAC will build on the efforts already underway with local partners to help strengthen STEM pathways in the region. Together, we will collaboratively design the principles and requirements for sustainable collaboration in San Diego to create a collective impact. In the months ahead, the CAC will work to strengthen STEM pathways and lay the groundwork for mini-pilots, co-designing with community input from parents, learners, and industry leaders. Through collective action and strong collaboration within the community, we will champion best practices and supports that can have a meaningful, lasting impact on learners.
“We envision a future where all of San Diego’s learners have the systems in place to secure living wages, enabling them to thrive within this magnificent city.” – Bianca Alvarado, director, San Diego STEM Pathways Initiative at Digital Promise
Our long-term vision is to develop a collaborative framework for STEM pathways in San Diego, co-designed with community partners that will establish a regional model poised for national replication, embodying the collective impact and dedication of our community advisors.
“I am thrilled to join this coalition because it offers a unique opportunity to create a more inclusive and equitable education-to-workforce pipeline, says Howard Chan, education consultant with Generation STEAM & Biocom California Institute. “By designing learner-centered pathways that are responsive to the local economy and grounded in community values, we have the chance to disrupt the status quo and open doors for historically excluded learners. Together, we can build a model that not only serves San Diego but can be a blueprint for nationwide innovation in STEM education and career pathways.”
“Sustainability isn’t just about enduring success—it’s about creating a lasting impact that continues to serve generations to come.” – Howard Chan, education consultant with Generation STEAM & Biocom California Institute
“What I love most about this project is the opportunity for collaboration with such a broad variety of stakeholders within the community because the only way we are going to solve some of these complex challenges is to uphold multiple perspectives and work together, says Sarah Tuakli Cooper, executive director of the Elementary Institute of Science. “Digital Promise has formulated a very sophisticated process to approach the work that enables us to share the vision and experience of each of the participating organizations to come up with comprehensive solutions.”
Since June, Digital Promise’s Center for Inclusive Innovation has facilitated community-building with the advisors and grounded ourselves in our values and shared beliefs. To put us on the path to more sustainable and impactful collaboration, we conducted a root cause analysis of cross-sector collaboration. The next phase of our work will involve generating cross-sector solutions to help strengthen San Diego STEM pathways for learners. We look forward to sharing more about the journey as we work together to build robust, multifaceted, and equitable opportunities for all learners in the San Diego region.
We value your support and interest in our work! To stay updated with our progress and learn about how you can contribute to this transformative initiative, we invite you to sign up for our newsletter here.
