Journal editorial’s focus over-emphasized STEM

YOUR JAN. 22 (Sunday Journal) editorial rightly, but too exclusively, focuses on STEM education.

I believe New Mexicans want to preserve our state’s distinctiveness and not be “just like anywhere else.” If UNM’s programs in dance and in Latin American Studies continue to attract students from all over the Americas, then it’s fine that the U is “increasingly producing non-STEM graduates.”

Today’s grads will have not only many jobs over the course of their working lives, but also multiple careers. The tech scene is ever-changing, what with its current massive layoffs, the energy transition, and so on. Universities must prepare students to deal with this. They’ll do so by producing rounded, resilient grads, by anticipating future tech directions, and by only judiciously focusing on industries’ near-term needs.

Unfortunately, UNM’s technology management program has been hollowed out, due to administration decisions and conflicting funding signals from the national labs. Rebuilding this program is essential for N.M.’s future.

Even among tech executives, the STEM acronym has been giving way to STEAM, the A denoting the arts.

Successful tech requires good design and culturally sensitive customization.

Both are N.M.’s strengths.

Please don’t perpetuate the myth that there’s too little tech startup funding in New Mexico. Two years ago, Professor Steve Walsh held an event at UNM with a gaggle of (venture capitalists) that conclusively showed good ideas can find ample local investment.

The other critical success factors for an innovative economy are quality of life that attracts knowledge workers; a welcoming business environment; and good K-12 education. We have ample of the first, but need to work on the second. Knowledge workers locate where their kids will get good educations.

Our governor is absolutely right that we need early childhood services. Its payoff is long term, but, without it, there will never be an N.M. advantage. FRED PHILLIPS

Albuquerque