EES History
A Brief History of the Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM
The Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM (EES) was established in 1991 as one of four divisions in the EDU Directorate. Originally known as Human Resource Development (HRD), EES's core mission is providing support to grow the innovative and competitive U.S. STEM workforce by supporting the inclusion and success of individuals currently underrepresented in STEM, and the institutions that serve them. As well, EES serves as a focal point for NSF's agency-wide commitment to a diverse, inclusive STEM workforce - one that contributes to addressing high priority national challenges.
| In October 2022 the Directorate of Education and Human Resources (EHR) and the Division of Human Resource Development (HRD) got new names. You can see the full news article here. The division became the Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM (EES).
Division Director Diana Elder said the following about the name change: During the past several months, leadership and staff in HRD (EES) and its parent directorate, Education and Human Resources (now known as the Directorate for STEM Education [EDU]) engaged in collaborative, thoughtful contemplation of a name change that would better reflect the work that the division does in a positive, empowering, and forward-looking manner. Our conclusion to rename the division as the Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM was a natural outcome after examining the constellation of the division's programs and recognizing the important contributions that you make each day. The new name, Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM, also highlights a vision of the national STEM enterprise where the diversity of the STEM workforce better reflects the diversity of the Nation. |
"Access to quality STEM education is a national imperative. For decades this directorate has been leading the charge in developing critical strategies to advance STEM learning and create opportunities everywhere. And finally, EDU and EES have names that more clearly reflect their missions, and I'm proud to lead this new change." ~ James L. Moore III. |
30th Anniversary of HRD
In 2021, EES (was HRD) celebrated its 30th anniversary. See more information here.
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| Fiscal Year | Event |
| FY 1950 | President Truman signed the National Science Foundation Act, thereby establishing the National Science Foundation. Under Section 10 of the Act, the Graduate Research Fellowships (GRF) program was initiated. It was the first funded program of the Foundation. It was and continues to be managed by the designated Science and Engineering Education unit at NSF (currently the Directorate of STEM Education).
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| FY 1951 | The Division of Scientific Personnel and Education was established. Dr. Harry C. Kelly was named Assistant Director, reporting to the NSF Director, Dr. Alan T. Waterman. In FY 1952, an appropriation of $1.5 million was approved by Congress.
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| FY 1965 | The Division of Scientific Personnel and Education was abolished.
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| FY 1966 | The position of Associate Director for Education (reporting to the NSF Director) was established. Pre-college, undergraduate, and graduate divisions were begun.
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| FY 1972 | The Minority Institution Science Improvement Program was established. This program was a precursor to HBCU-UP and other Minority Serving Programs.
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| FY 1976 | NSF reorganized into seven directorates (the Directorate for Science Education was established).
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| FY 1982 | Directorate for Science Education was disestablished and subsequently re-established in FY 1984.
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| FY 1990 | By NSF Staff Memorandum O/D 90-09 [June 1, 1990], the Directorate for Education and Human Resources was established by order of NSF Director Erich Bloch. Dr. Luther S. Williams was installed as the first NSF Assistant Director for this new Directorate.
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| FY 1991 | In June of 1991, Dr. Williams announces the establishment of six divisions to support the work of the new directorate.
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| FY 1992 | In November of 1991, the EHR Human Resource Development (HRD) division was formally initiated.
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