SACNAS Lifetime Member Dr. Martínez-Hernández Receives Tenure

SACNAS congratulates Lifetime Member, Dr. Kermin J. Martínez-Hernández on receiving tenure and a promotion to Associate Professor of Chemical Education at St. John Fisher College.

Dr. Martínez-Hernández has been a member of the SACNAS community since graduate school. From 2007 to 2009, he served on the Board of Directors as well as Vice-President of the Purdue University Student Chapter. He also participated in several SACNAS committees including Membership, Programs, Chapters, and Student Presentations. In 2011, he attended the prestigious Linton-Poodry SACNAS Leadership Institute (LPSLI) where he joined the largest network of underrepresented minority STEM professionals in the country. More recently, Dr. Martínez-Hernández became Chair of the SACNAS Chapter Committee in 2016.

“I cannot express in words how grateful or perhaps serendipitous I have been of crossing paths with this society in my career,” said Dr. Martínez-Hernández. “I have met my best mentors through SACNAS, people that give me confidence, open doors for me, connect me with opportunities, and accept me just the way I am.”

Since first being introduced to SACNAS 12 years ago, Dr. Martínez-Hernández has participated in various community opportunities, including peer networking, leadership development, and service as a mentor and role model to other sacnistas.

His best advice for early career professionals based on what he has experienced with SACNAS includes:

Seek mentors that are willing to make you a better professional.
Attend the SACNAS National Conference to re-energize yourself every year, learn from others, and seek advice from excellent mentors who also attend every year.
When in doubt about something in your career, don’t be afraid to ask for help or use your LPSLI network for advice.