SACNAS Honors Chapter Excellence

Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) will recognize its 2018 Chapter of the Year awardee from the University of California, Santa Cruz at 2018 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference at the Henry B. Gonzáles Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas from October 11-13, 2018. Additionally, six other chapters will be honored for outstanding achievements:

“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, PhD Candidate of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. “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.”

Click here for more information on the 2018 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference, including the agenda-at-a-glance.

View SACNAS’ fact sheet and follow the organization on social media and conference updates via #SACNAS2018: Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube.

About SACNAS
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, a larger community of 20,000, and with 115 SACNAS student and professional chapters throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.