The Rochester Area Colleges (RAC) is an association of 19 post-secondary educational institutions located in west-central New York State. Included among the RAC are 3 community colleges, 4 four-year public colleges, and 12 private institutions. Among these are outstanding colleges and universities engaged in research, technical and teacher career education. The Rochester region is fortunate to have the power of the RAC focused on increasing the number of students who are pursuing educational curricula leading to careers in math, science, and related technologies and to careers in teaching Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects at the secondary and post-secondary levels. As a result, the RAC Center for Excellence in Math and Science is positioned to become a national model of multiple institutions focused on the nationwide shortage of qualified STEM educators and scientifically trained people.