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STEM at Fresno State

Fresno State Supports STEM

What Is STEM?

The acronym "STEM" refers to the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, either taken individually or as a collective whole. 

The Definition of STEM Can Vary

As noted on the California Department of Education's  STEM Web site, there is not a universally agreed upon definition of STEM education. Likewise, various designations of STEM fields/majors are used by the  National Science Foundation for its grant programs, the  Department of Homeland Security for student visa extensions, and by the California State University (CSU) system in assessing  student persistence in STEM majors.  In some categorization systems, STEM fields can be found in every College/School on the Fresno State campus. In fact, creative solutions to real-world problems often require a multidisciplinary approach, and Fresno State actively supports this view coupled with strong support for high quality disciplinary studies in the STEM fields. 

Lyles College of Engineering at Sierra Vista MallWhy STEM? 

Fresno State is committed to its role as a highly engaged and collaborative leader in STEM education, supporting the STEM career pipeline from preschool to graduate school. This is vitally important, because technical innovations result from leadership in STEM fields, which in turn

  • drives economic competitiveness
  • helps to address global challenges such as water resource management, and
  • elevates the health and standard of living of the nation's citizens.

Lyles College of Engineering at Sierra Vista Mall during Engineers Week--Pictured is a Geomatics Engineering Student building with K'NEX. Photo Credit Carol Fry Bohlin

Related Resources 

Engage to Excel: Producing One Million Additional College Graduates with Degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), 2012

STEM Occupations: Past, Present, and Future
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017

7 Facts About the STEM Workforce
Pew Research Center, 2018

Sample Statistics 

  • Employment in STEM occupations grew much faster than employment in non-STEM occupations over the last decade (24.4 percent versus 4.0 percent, respectively), and STEM occupations are projected to grow by 8.9 percent from 2014 to 2024, compared to 6.4 percent growth for non- STEM occupations.
  • STEM workers command higher wages, earning 29 percent more than their non-STEM counterparts in 2015.
  • STEM degree holders enjoy higher earnings, regardless of whether they work in STEM or non- STEM occupations.

Contact Information

Carol Fry Bohlin, Ph.D.
Professor; Director, Mathematics and Science Teacher Initiative (MSTI)

carolb@csufresno.edu 559.278.0237

Alyssia Aguilar
Administrative Assistant for STEM Initiatives

alaguilar@csufresno.edu 559.278.0476

M/S ED2

Send Alyssia your STEM-related news, photos, and information!