Professor catalyzes legislative bill, supporting veterans in STEM Careers Act

A letter written four years ago by an Auburn College of Sciences and Mathematics professor set in motion a bill that was signed into law by President Trump this month: the Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act.

Hal Schenck, a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and the first Rosemary Kopel Brown Eminent Scholars Chair in Mathematics, served four years as an officer in the U.S. Army before returning to school to earn a doctorate in mathematics. In his first year at Auburn, Schenck is continuing the work he began at other institutions in implementing mathematics support programs for student veterans.

On Jan. 3, the Senate and the House of Representatives enacted the Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act. The act strengthens efforts to attract and retain veterans in STEM careers, education, computer science and research. The bill covers a wide variety of areas, including supporting veteran involvement in scientific research and STEM education, enhancing veteran outreach plans and providing annual reports from the National Science Board.

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