Southern Connecticut State University’s (SCSU) Innovation Hub and Boehringer Ingelheim have joined forces to enhance STEM opportunities for underrepresented students in our local communities. This collaboration, supported by the Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation, aims to foster a diverse and inclusive STEM talent pipeline in Connecticut.
Boehringer, located in Ridgefield, Conn., has been a strong collaborator since 2021. Ridgefield serves as the U.S. headquarters for the company, including the Innovation Unit –with expertise spanning across research, development, and translational medicine and clinical pharmacology. Boehringer is a company driven by innovation, striving to develop advanced therapies for both people and animals around the world.
Boehringer has worked with SCSU to support diverse students through initiatives that include mentoring and community-building activities. This partnership aligns with Boehringer’s mission to drive innovation, support local communities, and invest in the next generation of talent.
SCSU’s BioPath program, initiated in 2015, has been pivotal in advancing outcomes for students entering Connecticut’s biotechnology industry. The program has facilitated over 200 job and internship placements at STEM companies, including Boehringer. Among these placements, 65% identify as female and 36% as persons of color.
The collaboration between Boehringer and SCSU also led to the creation of the “Connecting Students and Professionals of Color” series in 2021. This initiative, part of the SCSU Innovation Hub, promotes relationship building, awareness of STEM careers, and knowledge of promising opportunities within STEM and Life Science companies.
With the support of the Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation and the dedication of the BioPath and SCSU Innovation Hub teams, more middle and high school students now can connect with diverse STEM professionals, engage in meaningful conversations, and develop relationships that can shape their futures.
“Our collaboration with SCSU is a testament to our commitment to create STEM educational opportunities for all,” says Robert Anderson, president of Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation. “Through initiatives like the BioPath program, we are building bridges that connect students with life sciences professionals. We believe that diversity and inclusion fuel innovation and we are proud to play a part in igniting the spirit of scientific curiosity.”
Dr. Christine Broadbridge, executive director for the Division of Research and Innovation and the Innovation Hub at Southern Connecticut State University, whose office spearheads this series, stated, “We are tremendously excited by the support from Boehringer Ingelheim and Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation. Together, I know we will continue to make wonderful strides in terms of helping students from Southern and throughout Connecticut not only connect with industry professionals like themselves but also earn exciting job and internship opportunities.”
For more information about the “Connecting Students and Professionals of Color” series, click here.
To learn more about Boehringer Ingelheim, visit: About Us | Biopharmaceuticals | Boehringer Ingelheim US (boehringer-ingelheim.com).
