Launch of new partnership: Science is US New Mexico
Leading business organization and national science and engineering initiative launch Science is US New Mexico.
Partnership is resource for science-based information to inform policymakers and business, agricultural and community leaders and builds support for science and engineering.
ALBUQUERQUE (Aug. 4, 2023) – Leaders of industry in New Mexico and a national nonprofit science and engineering initiative announced a novel partnership – Science is US New Mexico – that will bring the best of science and engineering to the Land of Enchantment, benefiting government bodies, education systems and private sector enterprises.
The new collaborative effort of the New Mexico Society of Association Executives (NMSAE) and Washington, DC-based Science is US offers a broad network of science advisors, nationwide connections to experts in science, engineering and medical fields, as well as tools and training in the use of evidence in policy decision-making.
The Science is US New Mexico announcement was made in conjunction with the NMSAE’s annual awards program today.
“Our organization has had the good fortune of collaborating with Science is US for several years,” said Jason Espinoza, NMSAE executive director. “The new partnership formalizes our relationship, expands our work and provides greater access to a vast network of experts and know-how that will benefit our members, business partners, educators and policymakers alike.
“Science is US New Mexico is a vehicle by which community, government and private sector can access and utilize reliable science-based evidence in making critical decisions that will best serve their respective constituencies,” Espinoza added.
The New Mexico partnership is the first of its kind for Science is US, which works in states across the U.S. to foster relationships among scientists and engineers and public policy makers, as well as community and nonprofit leaders and the private sector.
“New Mexico enjoys a diverse economy with a strong scientific base including its national laboratories, research universities and growing workforce in science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related occupations,” said Rachel Kerestes, Executive Director of Science is US. “Formalized access to experts in STEM fields and the value they provide is critical to the state’s citizen legislature and government agencies, business and agricultural communities and school systems.”
Science is US released an economic impact analysis titled People of Science in March which found that New Mexico has 363,000 direct jobs in STEM professions, 3,000 more than a similar review showed in 2020. Those positions account for:
- One-third (34%) of total employment in the state;
- $49 billion in direct contributions to the state’s economy (42% of GDP); and
- $8.6 billion in federal, state and local tax revenues.
New Mexico ranks 14th nationally in the percentage of state GDP directly attributed to STEM employment, according to the analysis which was based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Neighbor states Utah, Colorado and Arizona rank 25th, 26th and 33rd, respectively.
The 2023 report also found that more than half (54.2%) of New Mexico’s STEM professionals do not hold a bachelor’s degree.
About NMSAE
The New Mexico Society of Association Executives is a membership organization comprised of more than 80 New Mexico-based industry trade associations and professional societies. Member organizations represent tens of thousands of their own members which means the association’s impact is amplified across a diverse group of industries and professionals covering the entire state of New Mexico.
About Science is US
Science is US is a foundation-supported effort that brings together a diverse group of science, engineering, industry, higher education and labor organizations to galvanize a broad, bipartisan political base of support for science and technology. Created in 2018 through a grant provided by the Packard Foundation, the organization has conducted extensive research into STEM workforces across the U.S. and presented its findings to business executives, community leaders and government officials.