UVM and the 2022 SACNAS Conference

The UVM chapter of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) attended the 2022 National Diversity in STEM (NDiSTEM) Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico in October 2022 and was honored as one of two Chapters of the Year. This was UVM SACNAS's first outing to the national conference and the first time NDiSTEM was in person since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Two students, Krizzia Soto-Villanueva, PhD candidate in Food Systems, and Zenllaze Gomez-Merlo, undergraduate in Engineering, attended with support from Vermont EPSCoR. Here's a quick overview of the conference and its impact.

UVM and the Chapter of the Year Award

SACNAS has 134 chapters nationwide, making the Chapter of the Year Award for UVM a significant achievement. The award recognizes UVM SACNAS for their work in professional development workshops, panel discussions, and community building activities, among other efforts toward diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. Paola Pena-Garcia, the current UVM Chapter President, and Natalia Aristizabal, the UVM Chapter President from 2021-2022, jointly accepted the award.


UVM SACNAS members receiving the Chapter of the Year award. From left to right: Dennis Wrest, Eva Kinnebrew, Paola Peña-García, Aura Alonso, Bailey Kreztler, Natalia Aristizábal, Ollin Langle Chimal, Maria Del Sol Nava and Zenllaze Gomez.

"The true testament to our work is not in numbers; we measure our growth because we know we've created a space where we can thrive and be our true selves," stated Paola in her acceptance speech. "That we stand here today is a testament to our Chapter's co-founding members' perseverance and leadership; those who saw a need for a community, created a vision, and worked hard to make it a reality."

Impact on Students

Community building is one of the major goals for SACNAS, with NDiSTEM serving as a centerpiece in the yearly calendar. While many of the attendees go to different conferences throughout the year, NDiSTEM promotes a special sense of integration and belonging. Each of the students who attended with Vermont EPSCoR support had reflections on the unique strengths of the conference:

"I went into SACNAS not really knowing what to expect," said Krizzia Soto-Villanueva. "I knew it was a large conference, so I figured everyone would kind of blend in, including myself. What I encountered from the moment I walked in was the total opposite. Almost all my interactions at SACNAS were profound and personalized. At SACNAS, folks were excited to hear about each other as individuals, not just as another researcher. People were excited to share their experiences, their science, and their cultures."

Zenllaze Gomez-Merlo added, "Having the opportunity to connect with faculty, and undergraduate and graduate students with the same experiences and the same goals made me feel supported. For me, it is of the utmost importance that my actions are driven by passion and belief in the goals I want to reach. I was able to see that same passion and determination in many other individuals attending the conference and it nurtured my own. I felt inspired and grateful to see the work of talented professionals working to impact their environment and community. I became aware of new resources, and opportunities, and had the chance to connect with people that shared their insight on decisions I must take in my career. I found the mentorship that I was looking for and I am happy to come back and keep doing the work I have always wanted to do knowing that there are people just like me that are doing it now."


Source: NDiSTEM

"After being involved in the launching of the UVM SACNAS chapter and being invested in its success over the years, attending my first in-person SACNAS conference was an incredible experience," said Aura Alonso, UVM Chapter Vice President in 2021 and 2022.