For Release:           Immediate – February 11, 2021
Contact:                   Steve Ference, Director of University Communications | (518) 429-7742 | sference@sunypoly.edu

Tech Valley High School, Hoosick Falls Jr./Sr. High School, Greenville Central School District Girls Learn About Exciting Academic Options and Cutting-Edge Careers from Female Leaders

Albany, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly), in partnership with GLOBALFOUNDRIES® (GF®), celebrated “International Day of Women and Girls in Science” on Thursday, February 11 by hosting a virtual event in which more than 30 young women from Tech Valley High School, Hoosick Falls Jr./Sr. High School, and Greenville Central School District participated. A panel of SUNY Poly nanoscale science and nanoscale engineering graduate and undergraduate students, along with women scientists and engineers who work at GF, shared the importance of studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as ways the students can pursue high-tech career opportunities.

“SUNY Poly is proud to partner with GF to promote equal access and inspire participation in STEM-focused areas by the next generation of female research leaders,” said Dr. Tod A. Laursen, Acting President of SUNY Poly. “By reaching these promising students, we can encourage innovation-based academic achievement at institutions such as SUNY Poly, further opening the door to career opportunities such as those at GF and across New York State.”

“GF is proud to partner with SUNY Poly’s Office of Research & Graduate Studies along with our Office of Education and Workforce Development in this virtual event in honor of International Women & Girls in Science Day,” said Peter Benyon, vice president & general manager, GF Fab 8. “Our employees were excited to share with these high school students about their career journeys as top female scientists and engineers in STEM, and answer any questions they may have about shaping their own future.”

During the event, the virtual career panelists from SUNY Poly and GF led a discussion about their journeys as young females who were interested in science, and how that directly led them to focus their studies or careers on their chosen field. The event concluded with the opportunity for participants to ask additional questions within a supportive environment so that these 9-12 grade students could better understand and engage in the SUNY Poly STEM-centered college career pipeline.

The event reflects GF’s and SUNY Poly’s mutual alignment in engaging the STEM pipeline: SUNY Poly’s degree programs are a great talent source for STEM positions in advanced manufacturing, and their participation in GF’s Fab Degree Partnership (FDPP) program (which includes tuition reimbursement for its employees) means that GF employees can pursue further degrees in technical or leadership pathways.

This virtual panel event was also an extension of GF's ongoing K-12 STEM outreach program, which fosters an excitement with today's youth for STEM careers, problem-solving, and encourages innovation through learning.  GF recently launched a website resource, STEM@GF, to encourage STEM exploration in today’s virtual learning environment.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with GF to engage the next generation of high-tech leaders and share with them the incredible opportunities that are available within the high-tech sector,” said Krista Thompson, SUNY Poly Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies.

Biases and gender stereotypes have pushed girls and women from pursuing science-related opportunities, and, according to the United Nations, “at present, less than 30 percent of researchers worldwide are women.” According to UNESCO data (2014-2016), “only around 30 percent of all female students select STEM-related fields in higher education.” To help combat such gender-based inequities, the United Nations General Assembly declared February 11 as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Another previously announced opportunity related to this partnership enables professionals who work for companies within the region’s growing high-tech ecosystem to expand their knowledge, learn new skills, and advance their careers in the semiconductor industry through an option to enroll in SUNY Poly’s Master of Science in Advanced Technology program at its Albany campus. For more information about this program, please visit: https://sunypoly.edu/academics/majors-and-programs/ms-advanced-technology.html.

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About GF
GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GF) is the world’s leading specialty foundry. GF delivers differentiated feature-rich solutions that enable its customers to develop innovative products for high-growth market segments. GF provides a broad range of platforms and features with a unique mix of design, development and fabrication services. With an at-scale manufacturing footprint spanning the U.S., Europe and Asia, GF has the flexibility and agility to meet the dynamic needs of customers across the globe. GF is owned by Mubadala Investment Company. For more information, visit www.globalfoundries.com.

About SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly)
SUNY Poly is New York’s globally recognized, high-tech educational ecosystem. SUNY Poly offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience and nanoengineering, as well as cutting-edge nanobioscience programs at its Albany campus, and undergraduate and graduate degrees in technology, including engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and arts and sciences, including natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences at its Utica campus; thriving athletic, recreational, and cultural programs, events, and activities complement the campus experience. As the world’s most advanced, university-driven research enterprise, SUNY Poly boasts billions of dollars in high-tech investments and hundreds of corporate partners since its inception. For information visit www.sunypoly.edu.