Each year, MARC takes its students to the Society for Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)- the largest diversity in STEM conference in the country. In 2017, we took 9 students this year, 6 of whom earned travel awards! (read that story here)
Why do we make this event a priority every year? Read what our students had to say after attending the event in October, 2017:
"SACNAS changed my impressions of the scientific community. Where a feeling of being an outsider in the sciences once existed, now lives a sense of belonging and inclusion--I am not the only minority struggling in a largely homogeneous field." -Matt Mitchell
"I learned that I don’t have to feel alone during rough patches in my education. I have a support system I can utilize. I loved that even though there were so many people at the conference, I felt a part of the community because the environment was so welcoming. Also, because this conference well facilitated the ability to network, I know feel like applying to grade school is less daunting/overwhelming." -Cristiana Meuret
"SACNAS was reinvigorating; the conference served as a platform for people like me to express their experiences and motivations. It made me reflect on how far I have come and how much I can still look forward to." -Danny Hernandez
"The conference allowed me to see the research of other students and learn about graduate programs that I had not heard of before or considered." -Magdelana Carr
"Attending the SACNAS conference this past weekend not only allowed me to engage in professional development activities, but it also allowed me to come together with a group of driven individuals to learn and grow. The team behind SACNAS is allowing individuals, like myself, the opportunity to shine and believe in ourselves." -Jenn Jaime
"I am fervent about academia. I am ardent about the discipline of psychology. I have been searching for the right path to implement my passions. MARC took me to SACNAS 2017; it is at SACNAS that my path became clear and I have never been more enlivened by my academic journey!" -Brandan Radar
"I have always had a love for science, the SACNAS conference showed me how to take this passion and apply it to improve my community." -Baris Aydintug
"SACNAS was the best college experience I've had since I started college. I am grateful to have spent time with so many talented people in the sciences. One thing I take from SACNAS is that no matter where you come from, you have the potential to succeed if you really want it. Coming back from SACNAS, I am motivated to succeed in my science classes and really understand the why's to how the world of science works. After SACNAS, I now have a great support system from professors I met at the conference. Thanks for this wonderful opportunity!" -Odalis Castro
Learn More about The CU Denver SACNAS Chapter