A group of University of Vermont students seeking to cultivate an inclusive and diverse community of graduate and undergraduate students from underserved backgrounds, which in 2019 founded a chapter of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), has received official recognition by the national society—becoming the first SACNAS chapter in Vermont.

“We are committed to creating the change we want to see in science and society. Leading a SACNAS Chapter at UVM is a fantastic opportunity to foster a supportive and welcoming community driven by diverse cultural values while providing professional opportunities for our members,” said Natalia Aristizábal, a PhD candidate in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources and current president of the UVM SACNAS chapter. “Our purpose is to create accessible career-building opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students, and post-docs through student-led events such as cross-disciplinary networking, community outreach, graduate school workshops, and academic support.”

The national society works to ensure that those most underrepresented in STEM disciplines are fully supported on their quest to attain advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership—as the Hispanic and Native American populations continue to grow in the country while the representation of those populations in the STEM workforce remains relatively small.

“At SACNAS, we understand that diverse voices bring creative solutions to our world’s most pressing scientific problems. That’s why we’re building a national network that is innovative, powerful, and inclusive. Our programs and events train and support the next generation of diverse STEM talent,” the national society’s materials state.

The national society is comprised of more than 8,000 members, 300 trained leaders, 133 student and professional chapters, and a community of supporters of more than 28,000 people. The now officially recognized UVM chapter is composed of 123 members, including allies, representing natural and social scientists at different levels of their careers—from undergraduate to faculty.