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State board highlights SheTech and CTE partnership after presentation showing wide participation
Summary
USBE highlighted SheTech, an industry-led STEM outreach program for high-school students. Presenters said the program registered about 3,500 students and connects students with industry mentors and internships; board members praised the partnership and encouraged attendance.
The Utah State Board of Education heard a presentation Feb. 5 about SheTech, an industry-led STEM and career-technical-education (CTE) initiative that board staff and nonprofit partners say reaches thousands of students across the state.
Kelsey Sprout James, board communications coordinator, introduced Christine Yamada, a USBE CTE education specialist, who invited Sydney Tetro and Kristen Wright of the Women Tech Council to describe SheTech’s activities and outcomes. Christine Yamada said SheTech integrates industry partners with schools and reported the program supports student leadership, internship opportunities and school-based outreach.
Sydney Tetro described the program as industry-led and said SheTech registered about 3,500 girls this year, involved 1,000 industry partners at the Explore Day and supports internships and student leadership boards. Tetro said the program’s organizers estimate an economic impact to the state and cited longer-term outcomes: “about 400 students that graduate from our universities with STEM degrees now do so because they came to SheTech first,” she said.
Board members praised the event as a model partnership between the agency, nonprofits and private industry. Member Keller and others described the experience as transformative for students and encouraged board members to attend SheTech events in future seasons.
USBE staff said the agency partners with CTE units and nonprofit organizers to promote workforce pathways; no new board action was requested at the meeting beyond the recognition and highlight.
Board members noted questions about representation and inclusion — one board member asked how many boys attend (presenters described boys as a minority of attendees) and how the program works with DEI goals. Presenters said SheTech is open to all students and emphasized mentorship and pathway-building.
