The Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) will award 2018 Chapter of the Year honors to the UC Santa Cruz chapter at the 2018 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference at the Henry B. Gonzáles Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, from October 11-13, 2018.
“After all the hard work and the obstacles that this chapter had to face as a group and individuals, it is a privilege to be receiving this award,” said Amanda Brambila, Ph.D. candidate in molecular, cell and developmental biology, who leads the UCSC chapter. “The UCSC chapter has worked to promote STEM diversity on campus by raising $8,000 in 24 hours, hosting Science Fair Judging that has led to a pilot mentoring program, fostering connections with Genentech, and attending tabling events to promote the chapter and collaborations with other professional organizations on campus.”
Each SACNAS chapter develops programming on its respective campus focused on networking, professional development, scientific engagement, and community service. As part of its mission, SACNAS supports this nationwide network largely through direct outreach and year-round contact with individual chapters. Every year SACNAS recognizes a handful of chapters at its National Diversity in STEM Conference that have demonstrated outstanding achievements throughout the past twelve months. This recognition serves as a platform to share best practices across the entire network of SACNAS chapters.
“The SACNAS chapter awards were created to encourage and recognize emerging STEM leaders and the institutions supporting them,” said SACNAS Executive Director John D. Winnett. “We are proud of the 2018 Chapter of the Year recipient, University of California, Santa Cruz, and the other chapters honored for their outstanding accomplishments. They are—in addition to the entire network of SACNAS student chapters nationwide—the force behind the movement to diversify STEM in the United States at the grassroots level, contributing to the changing face of science in their respective communities.”
Six other chapters will also be honored for outstanding achievements: University of Massachusetts Medical School (Outstanding Chapter Development); Oregon State University (Outstanding Community Outreach for Native American Activities); University of Chicago (Outstanding Professional Development); University of California, San Francisco (Outstanding Community Outreach Activities); and University of California, Los Angeles (Outstanding Fundraising).
SACNAS is an inclusive organization with a 45-year history of fostering the success of Chicano/Hispanic & Native American scientists, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers and positions of leadership in science. SACNAS serves approximately 6,000 members and a larger community of 20,000, with 115 SACNAS student and professional chapters throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
