2015 SACNAS Conference

Edith Tudae-Torboh and Shahin Nemazee at 2015 SACNAS

The 2015 SACNAS (Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science) was an absolute success. The Smithsonian put forth another pan-institutional effort and the booth was well represented by Shahin Nemazee from OEEMA and Edith Tudae from OHR. SACNAS is a society of scientists dedicated to fostering the success of Chicano/Hispanic and Native American scientists—from college students to professionals—to attain advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in science. The conference was highly interactive, with more than 1,000 participants made up of students, exhibitors (academic and professional) and science practitioners.

Highlights included:

• Meeting with and provided outreach materials to representatives from Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities and other academic institutions that hold large populations of underrepresented groups.
• Interacting with over 100 students hailing from Native American and Latino communities from across the country – most are future STEM practitioners who were delighted to hear about and receive literature on the diversity of fellowship and career opportunities the Smithsonian offers.
• Networking with a large contingency of Native American students in attendance.

Shahin meeting with the VP of Student Services for Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College in North Dakota, which is a small Tribal college that provides cultural, academic and vocational education for the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation