UTSA SACNAS students to receive national Outstanding Mentoring Award

Members of UTSA SACNAS student chapter

By Kris Rodriguez
Public Affairs Specialist

(Oct. 17, 2014) -- The UTSA student chapter of the Society for Advancement of Hispanics/Chicanos & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) will be honored with the Outstanding Mentoring Award at the SACNAS 2014 National Conference Oct. 16-18 at the Convention Center in Los Angeles. This year's theme, "Creativity, Vision and Drive: Toward Full Representation in STEM," commemorates 41 years of dedicated service by the organization.

In 2012, the UTSA SACNAS student chapter opened on the Main Campus, adding to the list of more than 50 student chapters nationwide. Since opening, the students have received mentoring from a number of College of Sciences faculty members who have been recognized nationally or previously held prominent positions in SACNAS as presidents or board members.

In 2011, UTSA biochemistry professor Andrew Tsin received the White House Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. In 2012, UTSA Department of Physics and Astronomy Chair Miguel Yacaman was honored with the SACNAS Distinguished Scientist Award.

"We are honored to receive the SACNAS Outstanding Mentoring Award and would like to thank the UTSA faculty and staff for their support," said Zachary Jordan, president of the UTSA SACNAS student chapter. "We appreciate the SACNAS national organization for recognizing our collaborative efforts."

Last year, UTSA was the first university in Texas to sponsor the annual SACNAS national conference, which drew more then 3,700 participants to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and generated an economic impact of nearly $4 million for San Antonio.

With more than 6,900 members serving a community of more than 25,000 at more than 1,000 institutions nationwide, SACNAS seeks to increase the number of Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans with advanced degrees in science and motivate them to be leaders in their scientific disciplines.

SACNAS goals include increasing the number of Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in scientific research, leadership and teaching careers and increasing governmental commitment to advancing Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in science, resulting in increased resources, elimination of barriers and greater equity.

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Learn about the organization's 41-year history at the SACNAS website.

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