On Sept. 12, Eric D. Evans, director of MIT Lincoln Laboratory, was confirmed as the president of the National GEM (Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science, Inc.) Consortium for 2012–14. The mission of The National GEM Consortium is to increase the participation of underrepresented groups (African-Americans, American Indians and Hispanic-Americans) in engineering and science at the master's and doctoral levels.

Evans was selected, in part, based on his support of programs that encourage America's youth to obtain advanced degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. His nomination was supported by the increase in outreach at the laboratory under his directorship, namely, the creation of the laboratory’s Diversity and Inclusion Office, the Lincoln Laboratory Community Outreach effort, the Technical Women's Network, the Veteran’s Network, the New Employee Network and the Hispanic/Latino Network, and increases in the numbers of women and underrepresented minorities in the laboratory.

GEM prepares technical leaders for advanced careers in industry, academia and government agencies by identifying and selecting highly qualified students to complete a program of STEM graduate study and industry internships. Through university and employer members, GEM develops funding to award fellowships and builds mentor networks to support fellows in achieving academic and professional success.
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