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Supporting Diverse Students to Attend GSA and SACNAS Annual Meetings

National conferences and meetings are natural
venues for bringing together diverse perspectives
and unique discoveries. In support of GSA’s
commitment to enhancing diversity in the geosci-
ences, GSA recently partnered with the Society for
the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science
(SACNAS) to support a cohort of students to attend last fall’s
SACNAS and GSA national conferences that occurred consecu-
tively in the Washington/Baltimore region. Supported by the
National Science Foundation and in collaboration with the
American Geosciences Institute (AGI), the Incorporated Research
Institute for Seismology (IRIS), the Society for Stratigraphy
(SEPM), and the STEPPE Coordinating Office, 25 undergraduate
and graduate students were awarded travel funds to attend these
professional conferences. Students were identified as having a
specific interest in geosciences and encouraged through their
participation to learn about geoscience career options.

“My experiences at SACNAS and GSA were phenomenal.
From now on, I plan on attending both conferences every
year, if possible. Each conference has something different to
offer—SACNAS ties culture with science and shows students
that you can bridge the gap between indigenous knowledge
and modern science, while GSA showcases research being
conducted in a wide range of topics in earth science,
oceanography, and climate change.”

SACNAS Executive Director Dr. Antonia Franco.

GSA TODAY | JULY 2016 The benefits for students to attend professional conferences At the GSA meeting, students were integrated into On To the
like SACNAS and GSA are tremendous. The SACNAS National Future (OTF), a GSA program that brings diverse students to their
Conference is the largest minority scientific meeting in the first GSA Annual Meeting. Many OTF students were paired with a
nation, with more than 3,800 attendees per year. With a broad mentor for the duration of the meeting and attended morning
STEM focus, sessions include career-focused roundtable discus- sessions during which they learned about leadership opportuni-
sions, keynote speakers, oral and poster scientific presentations, ties, such as serving on committees, the Student Advisory
and a variety of professional development sessions targeted at Council, and being involved in their regional sections. Guest
specific educational levels. At the meeting, collaborating part- presenters provided information on research grants, internships,
ners organized the session, “Geoscience Careers: Academic, and other opportunities. They concluded with an invitation to the
Industry, Government and Non-Profit Opportunities,” which students and the community to the Diversity in the Geosciences
featured speakers from American Geosciences Institute (AGI), and OTF Alumni Reception. This event featured SACNAS
the Department of Interior (DOI), GSA, the Incorporated Executive Director Dr. Antonia Franco, who gave her personal
Research Institutions for Seismology, the STEPPE coordinating story of the challenges faced as an underrepresented minority and
office, the University of California Berkeley, the University of the importance of professional societies and mentors in success.
Colorado Boulder, and the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Speakers discussed their personal career tracks that led them “Opportunities such as the combined travel grant can be
into the geosciences. a game changer for minority students like myself. It is crucial
for us to see examples of minority students and professionals
“I felt honored to attend both amazing conferences and walked successfully navigating the geoscience pathways ahead of
away with rewarding experiences. If anything, these conferences us. This travel experience has enriched the outlook I have for
reenergized my journey as a LGBTQ Native American/Chicano my future, by paving a clearer road toward the successful
student striving to obtain an advanced degree in a field that is completion of my educational and career goals.”
often under-representative of minorities.”

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