Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) hosted an informational STEM seminar at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) to provide local school board members, administrators, and parents with information and resources to help prepare students for in-demand jobs and career opportunities in STEM fields. The congressman was joined by Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of the National Science Foundation; Dr. John Fife, interim director of VCU’s Center for Innovation in STEM Education; and Dr. Kume Goranson, executive director of CodeRVA.
"Ensuring our children and future leaders are equipped with the education and resources they need to succeed in the 21st-century economy remains one of my top priorities," said Rep. Wittman. "It is imperative that we foster collaboration across local, state, and federal levels to provide our students with the requisite tools to thrive in a STEM-centric workforce. I thank the higher education and K-12 leaders — as well as STEM experts — for engaging with our community members today, and I look forward to our continued efforts in supporting students through high quality education and career opportunities."
Throughout his time in Congress, Rep. Wittman has advocated for increased funding and resources for education, including opportunities in STEM and career and technical education (CTE), such as:
- Introducing the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act, which will permit the use of 529 account funds to pay for postsecondary credential and training program expenses
- Introducing the PROPEL Act, which will allow students to use Pell Grants for short-term vocational or technical training, apprenticeships, or on-the-job training
- Co-sponsoring the Computers for Veterans and Students Act, which will allow certified, nonprofit refurbishing companies to obtain, refurbish, and distribute surplus government computers to serve veterans, students, and seniors in need
- Co-sponsoring the American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act, which will permit tax expenditure exemptions to increase innovation
- Co-sponsoring the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act, which will invests in education and training in quantum fields
- Serving on the House Career and Technical Education Caucus
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