Lincoln Laboratory was recognized at the annual National GEM Consortium Conference in Los Angeles for its diversity and inclusion leadership in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.
Eric Evans, left, with Brennon Marcano, right, CEO of the National GEM Consortium, accepts the leadership award at this year’s GEM Conference in Los Angeles.
Eric Evans, left, with Brennon Marcano, right, CEO of the National GEM Consortium, accepts the leadership award at this year’s GEM Conference in Los Angeles.

On 13 September, Lincoln Laboratory was recognized at the annual National GEM Consortium Conference in Los Angeles for its diversity and inclusion leadership in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

GEM is an organization that provides fellowships to underrepresented minorities seeking graduate degrees in STEM fields. The organization was set up as a university and technical employer consortium to share the costs of fellowships. As part of the program, GEM fellows pursue their master's and doctorate degrees at top universities around the country and have summer internships with employer sponsors. Lincoln Laboratory, as a GEM partner, offers paid summer internships to graduate students through the fellowship program. In 2018, the Laboratory hosted 19 GEM interns who gained technical experience working in an R&D laboratory.

This year, Eric Evans, director of Lincoln Laboratory, completed a maximum of three two-year terms as the chair of the GEM Board of Directors. During the past six years, through the involvement of many in the GEM community, the number of GEM fellowships has tripled. The Laboratory will continue to support GEM by sponsoring fellows and assisting in the search for new sources of fellowship funds.

"GEM has been an outstanding program for the Laboratory. It has connected us to a much more diverse community of very talented students interested in research and development," Evans said. "We really appreciate the leadership within our Human Resources Department and from leaders across the Laboratory for their work to improve our diverse and inclusive culture."