“Finding a support system and community in graduate school is extremely important to succeed and be happy, so we’ve tried to foster a welcoming collegial atmosphere through events and activities, so that everyone has a support network here at Brown,” says Amanda Ruiz, a doctoral student in Pathobiology and Co-President of the Brown University Chapter of SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science).

Events have included a STEM night at a local charter school, a picnic meet and greet, the second in a series of “DiversiTeas” and contributions to the planning and execution of the inaugural Dr. Samuel M. Nabrit Conference at Brown.

Ruiz explains that part of the mission of SACNAS is to promote civic engagement and community building, “we try to weave events and activities such as community outreach and volunteering into our programmed events,” she says.

For STEM Night at Highlander Charter School in late May, members of SACNAS coordinated with Bonnie Epstein, director of the Rhode Island Museum of Science and Art, to exhibit science experiment demonstrations at the School's annual STEM Night. The event showcased science exhibition booths covering a myriad of topics from neuroscience to robotics and was open to Highlander students and parents. The event was a “great opportunity to get children excited about science and show them that scientists come from a variety of backgrounds,” says Ruiz.

In July, SACNAS teamed up with oSTEM (Out in STEM), GSOCnSTEM (Graduate Students of Color in STEM), and Nabrit BGSA (Samuel M. Nabrit Black Graduate Student Association) to host a Picnic Meet & Greet for current and incoming graduate students already on campus, including PREP and Leadership Alliance students. They were able meet members of graduate student groups involved in the summer programming, learn about upcoming events and how to join the different groups.

Also in July, “DiversiTeas”, a networking and social event series for STEM graduate students, offered a session focused on bias in higher education. Speakers included Rashid Zia, Dean of the College, and Prabhdeep Kehal, a PhD candidate in Sociology.

The inaugural Dr. Samuel M. Nabrit Conference was planned with the assistance of three members of the SACNAS executive board. The inclusive conference highlighted the research and accomplishments of individuals from underrepresented identities in STEM and drew undergraduate students, graduate students, post-docs, and professors within the field of molecular biology from around the country to Brown University. 

“We appreciated the opportunity to plan an inclusive and welcoming conference that highlighted scientists that came from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM,” says Ruiz.

Yet to come: Join SACNAS in late August for a Chipotle Fundraiser on August 27 from 4 - 8pm at the Thayer Street location to support the chapter’s professional development workshops. Mention the SACNAS fundraiser to the cashier and 33% of the proceeds collected with be donated to their chapter to support professional development workshops for both undergraduate and graduate students. 

Workshops planned for the upcoming academic year will include the topics of grant writing, applying to graduate school, abstract writing, and finding a mentor.

“Our goals with all events is to bring awareness to the supportive community of graduate students on campus and to provide undergraduates, graduate students, and post-docs with resources and skills to achieve their highest potentials,” says Ruiz.

To find out more about SACNAS at Brown and their events, follow them on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) or email them at sacnas@brown.edu.