About the Center

The mission of the Center for Leader Development in STEM (CLDSTEM) is to build an academic pipeline to educate and inspire new STEM talent for West Point, the U.S. Army, and the nation. This mission aligns with the national need to increase the number of STEM experts, for a talent shortage threatens the country’s ability to drive innovation, compete internationally, and protect national security. This national need coincides with a need for Army officers with higher scientific and technological literacy who can effectively lead in an increasingly complex operational environment. 

The U.S. Military Academy is one of the country’s most highly regarded undergraduate engineering schools, requiring competency in STEM among all its cadets. While West Point has always strongly emphasized STEM, it recognizes the urgent need to do more - specifically among underrepresented populations in the STEM workforce. We believe diversity of thought and perspective fuels innovation and strive to equip our students with the skills and knowledge to significantly contribute to the global STEM community.