SACNAS is a national non-profit membership organization that encourages Chicano/Latino and Native American students to pursue graduate education and obtain the advanced degrees necessary for leadership roles, research careers and science teaching professions at all levels. Society members are professors, government leaders, research scientists, precollege educators, and students. As a result, SACNAS is a diverse organization with a strong interest in promoting opportunities in American science, research, and higher education. SACNAS is also a community of scientists from traditionally underrepresented groups who explore a wide range of research ideas. Some address questions in recruiting students into science, helping students maintain their enthusiasm for science by innovative teaching and mentoring, and with high-quality cutting-edge research that often addresses issues and health problems that disproportionately affect Hispanic and Native American populations. The long-term goal is to increase the number of Latinos and Native Americans in science, technology and engineering—especially at the upper levels of research and in policy-making positions. Meanwhile, the SACNAS community celebrates shared cultural heritage and the love of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, in a setting that fosters cooperation, teamwork, and mutual support. A growing trend in directing students into science, mathematics, and/or technology has been the role of mentors, by definition a trusted counselor or guide. The annual conference is tailored to not only present new scientific research but to provide an inclusive environment that introduces and nurtures active mentoring. SACNAS has found that its professional participants who serve as presentation judges or mentors are a vital component to a student’s professional development. Over half of the students who attended the 2006 SACNAS conference indicated that the guidance of a mentor has been a key factor in their education choices and career path. Two-thirds of the students from the 2006 conference indicated that participating in the SACNAS conference mentoring activities has been more helpful than the mentoring available at their college or university. Partnering with MentorNet allows SACNAS students and professionals a way to extend the mentoring experience beyond the environment of the annual conference. We expect that introducing an e-mentoring tool from MentorNet will only increase the chances of students entering research science.
Copyright © 2010 MentorNet. All Rights Reserved.
