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SACNAS Leadership Institute Builds Essential Skills for Professionals

Contact: Judit Camacho, SACNAS Executive Director, (831) 459-0170, ext. 444
Kelli Williams, SACNAS Director of Communications, (831) 459-0170, ext. 225

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – July 19, 2010 – The second annual SACNAS Leadership Institute is being held in Washington, D.C. July 19-23 to assist underrepresented minorities advance their professional careers in science, while building leadership skills and a common sense of community. Scheduled keynote speakers for the week-long event include: Dr. Cora Marrett, NSF Acting Director, Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, Director of Indian Health Services, Representative Raul Grijalva, member of Congress representing Arizona’s 7^th District, and Dr. Shirley Malcom, Head of Education and Human Resources for AAAS.

According to officials from SACNAS, a society advancing Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in science, the institute is among the organization’s newest strategic initiatives supporting year-round leadership development. Held in collaboration with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the SACNAS Leadership Institute is an intensive five-day course featuring in-depth training sessions and extensive community building among a diverse group of 30 post doctorates, junior professionals and mid-career professionals selected to participate.

The director of the institute, Joseph E. Garcia, PhD, is the Bowman Distinguished Professor of Leadership Studies and the Director of the Karen W. Morse Institute for Leadership at Western Washington University . He shares, “The SACNAS Leadership Institute provides participating underrepresented minority scientists with the knowledge, skills, awareness, and support to advance the next generation of scientific leadership. At the end of a full week of seminars, workshops, experiential learning activities and exposure to minority leaders, institute participants will develop individualized leadership development plans that will help each set the course for their journey as leaders in science.”

Only in its second year, SACNAS has received overwhelming positive interest from professional members and generous feedback from institute participants. Using evaluative data and tracking institute participants’ growth over multiple years are just some of the ways SACNAS is learning about the impact the SACNAS Leadership Institute is having on supporting career advancement for science professionals and strengthening the community of Hispanic/Chicano and Native American leaders in science.

About SACNAS
Named by the National Science Board as the "premier organization promoting diversity in science careers” and winner of the 2004 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring, SACNAS is a society of scientists dedicated to fostering the success of Hispanic/Chicano and Native American scientists—from college students to professionals—to attain advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership. www.sacnas.org