UA Little Rock Students Attend SACNAS Conference

Five students from University of Arkansas at Little Rock attended the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) Conference.

SACNAS is a group that was founded to address issues of diversity in academia and government agencies. They work to support the underrepresented in earning advanced degrees, advancing their careers, and obtaining positions of leadership.

The aim of SACNAS is to amplify Hispanic and Native American voices in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

UA Little Rock students Jessica Pittman, Grace Shelton, Kam’ron Coleman, Kevin Pacheco, and Makiya Stubbs all attended the 2023 SACNAS Conference that was held on October 26-28 in Portland, Oregon.

“SACNAS is making STEM a celebration,” said Shelton. “They help students who are underserved and underrepresented. They are showing that getting a career in STEM is possible. They do a great job of ensuring that students feel comfortable networking and seeking opportunities despite barriers and hardships.”

SACNAS supports the underrepresented in STEM by connecting students and professionals with opportunities and resources they need to advance their education and careers. They host conferences, leadership programs, professional programs, webinars, and more.

“For me, the SACNAS conference was a very eye-opening experience,” Shelton said. “It made me realize how much is out there, as far as diversity, opportunities, schools, and much more. I enjoyed networking with new people, celebrating a different culture from my own, and being able to find different career opportunities. All in all, SACNAS was a great experience that I would recommend to everyone.”