Profile: Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science

Since the organization's beginnings in 1973, the rapidly growing SACNAS membership has been composed of science faculty and administrators, researchers from federal and industry sectors, precollege educators and administrators, and community college, undergraduate, and graduate students. As a result, SACNAS is a diverse society with a vested interest in promoting opportunities in advanced science education for Chicano/Latino, Native American, and other underrepresented minority students. Encouraging these students to reach the highest levels in their science careers has been the society's continuing mission throughout its over 35-year history.

SACNAS is a national organization with members residing throughout the United States. Since September 1988, SACNAS has maintained its national headquarters in Santa Cruz, California. The SACNAS Board of Directors is composed of science educators, leaders and researchers; pre-college educators; and students. The current officers of the Board include:

President: Dr. Aaron Velasco, Associate Professor, University of Texas at El Paso
President Elect: Dr. J.D. Garcia, Professor, University of Arizona
Treasurer: Dr. David Burgess, Professor, Boston College
Secretary: Betty K. Christensen, AMEDD Enterprise Architect, Army Office of the Surgeon General

The SACNAS Annual National Conference is the centerpiece of the Society's programs. The conference receives financial support from many national organizations and agencies including the National Institutes of Health (NIGMS, NHGRI), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Science Foundation (Office of Polar Programs, Directorate for Geosciences). SACNAS conferences feature career advancement workshops, scientific symposia, exhibits, student research presentations, and distinguished speakers designed to provide the resources Chicano/Latino, Native American, and other postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate science and engineering students need to pursue a advanced degrees in the sciences. Speakers are chosen for their excellence in scientific research and their ability to convey the wonder and importance of science through the presentation of their research results.

With a focus on educational and professional development, conference workshops include topics such as pursuing a doctoral degree, how to select an academic specialty, applying for graduate school, successful grant writing, attaining tenure, and strategies for educational and research success. While informal mentoring occurs throughout the meeting, several opportunities for formalized mentoring are integral to the conference structure. The Conversations with Scientists, Networking Lunches, Leadership activities, and Graduate School Application Advising sessions, along with the Graduate Oral Presentations and Graduate and Undergraduate Poster Presentations provide participants with the chance to meet, share their research, and receive guidance from nationally-renowned professional scientists.

In addition to the programs directed toward students, SACNAS continues to build on the success of our program for precollege (K-12) educators. A series of hands-on workshops on science education for Chicano/Latino, Native American, and other minority students has been part of the national conference since 1987. Precollege educators from across the country participate in three days of inquiry-based training sessions at the SACNAS K-12 Teacher Workshops . Funding for these workshops has come from a variety of sources, including the the National Center for Research Resources ' (NCRR/NIH) Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) Program , National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) , the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) , and the Verizon Foundation.

SACNAShas been distinguished for the success of its mission and its exemplary initiatives on numerous occasions. SACNAS received national commendation from President Bush with the award of the 2004 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM), a program supported and administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to honor individuals and institutions that have enhanced the participation of underrepresented groups—such as women, minorities, and people with disabilities—in science, mathematics, and engineering education at all levels. In 2002, SACNAS was recognized as the “premier organization that promotes diversity in science careers (especially for underrepresented Latinos and Native Americans)” with the National Science Board Public Service Award.

Due to the unique partnership SACNAS has developed with research scientists, science teachers, students, and scientific institutions, we are able to participate directly in science education as well as provide opportunities and resources to students who show desire and promise. The students who participate in SACNAS programs will later become the role models for a new generation of students, scientists, and science educators. The SACNAS Board of Directors is aware that if there is to be meaningful, lasting change in the numbers of underrepresented minorities who pursue higher education, there must be a real increase in the representation of Chicanos/Latinos, Native Americans, and other minority groups at the highest levels of academia and research. SACNAS has a 35-year history of achievement in this area, and we remain committed to this goal.