Aristocrat Gaming Wednesday announced a $500,000 donation to the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, a non-profit organization focusing on increasing Indigenous peoples’ representation in STEM (science, technology and math) studies and careers. The donation will support AISES’ programs including the just launched Resources for Indigenous STEM Education (RISE), and student scholarships.
The announcement was made during the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“We are honored by the relationship with Aristocrat Gaming and our mutual commitment to propel more Indigenous people to STEM education and careers,” said AISES President Sarah EchoHawk in a statement. “The company’s efforts are extraordinary—by sharing our collective story and engaging the gaming industry, we hope to enact real change in Indigenous STEM representation.”
The RISE Fund, supported by Aristocrat, engages and supports Indigenous students, professionals, and Tribes by offering resources and programming to develop STEM education and careers in the gaming industry specifically. Aristocrat’s contribution supports scholarships, career and professional development, education programs, internships, and workforce development opportunities.
The funding provided by Aristocrat continues its support of AISES’ general scholarship fund, providing $2,500 scholarships to 20 undergraduate students pursuing casino gaming degrees at accredited four-year colleges and universities. Aristocrat will also provide $30,000 annually to the AISES National Conference, an event for Indigenous STEM students and professionals.“As a valued partner of ours for over six years, we are elated to further our relationship with AISES to intentionally invest in the gaming industry’s future workforce, helping to open up access to STEM education and career opportunities for Indigenous peoples,” said James Starr, President of VGT, an Aristocrat Gaming company.
