2026 State of Inclusive Excellence
The Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) is a national nonprofit organization that cultivates a supportive community for more than 150 student and professional chapters across the United States. In Oregon, four SACNAS chapters, including the chapter at Oregon State University, create spaces where students who share a passion for science, research, and professional development can feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to pursue careers in STEM.
SACNAS recognizes the importance of representation, culture, and community in shaping the future of science. Through national conferences, mentorship opportunities, and cultural celebrations such as powwows and cultural markets, the organization uplifts Indigenous and Latinx identities while fostering a broader sense of belonging for students from all backgrounds. These experiences allow students to build meaningful connections, develop confidence in their identities, and see themselves reflected in scientific spaces where they have historically been underrepresented.
By creating environments where students can find mentors, role models, and a strong network of peers, SACNAS strengthens the next generation of scientists and leaders. Chapters like the one at Oregon State University, now home to more than 150 members, demonstrate how community-driven spaces can empower students, strengthen local communities, and contribute to building a more inclusive STEM workforce in Oregon and beyond.
SACNAS expands access, opportunity, and participation in STEM by creating spaces where students who have historically faced barriers in academia can see themselves represented, supported, and encouraged to pursue their goals. For many students—particularly those who are first-generation, immigrants, children of immigrants, or from Indigenous and Latinx communities—finding cultural representation in research and science has historically been difficult. SACNAS helps change that experience.
At the national level, the SACNAS Annual National Conference provides students with the opportunity to hear from keynote speakers who share similar backgrounds and life experiences. Students see scientists who look like them and who openly speak about the challenges and barriers they have overcome on their path to becoming doctors, researchers, and leaders in their fields. In those moments, careers that once felt distant or impossible begin to feel achievable. Representation becomes powerful because students realize that they, too, belong in these spaces.
On a more local level, SACNAS chapters—such as the chapter at Oregon State University—create year-round opportunities for students to build community and support one another. When students walk into a SACNAS general body meeting, they enter a room filled with people who are excited about science, eager to learn, and committed to helping one another succeed. Many of these students are navigating systems that were not originally built with them in mind, and for some, they are the first in their families or communities to pursue careers in STEM.
Through mentorship, professional development opportunities, cultural celebration, and community building, SACNAS helps remove some of the barriers that have historically limited participation in science. Every SACNAS gathering becomes a space where students are encouraged to pursue opportunities, share their experiences, and support one another’s growth. In doing so, SACNAS helps create pathways for students to access opportunities that once felt out of reach and contributes to building a more inclusive and representative future for science.
At Oregon State University, the SACNAS chapter integrates community-engaged approaches by creating events and opportunities that bring students together while also connecting them with broader campus and community networks. During the 2025–2026 academic year alone, the chapter hosted approximately 24 activities designed to support students both personally and professionally.
These events include community-building workshops such as game nights, professional development opportunities like resume-building workshops and an etiquette dinner where students learn professional dining etiquette, and fundraising initiatives such as the Roses and Conchas sale. The chapter also participates in tabling and outreach events across campus to promote opportunities and invite new students into the community.
What makes these activities impactful is that they are open to anyone interested in learning, connecting, and growing within STEM. As a result, each event becomes a gathering space filled with a diverse group of students from different academic disciplines, cultural backgrounds, and lived experiences. Through these partnerships, outreach efforts, and community-centered events, SACNAS helps build a supportive network that strengthens students’ sense of belonging while connecting them to opportunities that support their academic and professional journeys.
SACNAS reflects OSU’s Land Grant mission by creating opportunities for students to learn, grow, and give back to their communities through science and education. By building spaces where students can access mentorship, professional development, and community support, SACNAS helps ensure that education and opportunity reach students from many different backgrounds. The chapter also encourages students to see their education not only as a personal achievement, but as a tool they can use to serve and uplift their communities. In this way, SACNAS helps prepare students to carry forward the values of public service, community impact, and accessible education that are central to OSU’s Land Grant mission.
SACNAS supports student success by creating a community where students feel encouraged to grow both academically and personally. Through workshops, professional development events, and mentorship opportunities, students are able to learn practical skills that help them navigate research, internships, and future careers. Just as importantly, SACNAS creates a space where students can connect with others who share similar passions and experiences. This sense of community helps students feel like they belong in STEM and reminds them that they do not have to navigate these pathways alone.
SACNAS ensures that its work is inclusive and culturally responsive by intentionally creating spaces where students from diverse backgrounds feel welcomed, respected, and represented. We host cultural events that celebrate the identities and traditions of the communities we serve, while also creating opportunities for students to share their own experiences and perspectives. Our chapter is open to students from any college or discipline, which allows us to bring together people with different academic interests, cultures, and lived experiences.
We also work to create a safe and supportive environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, seeking mentorship, and building connections with others who share similar goals. By recognizing and uplifting students from diverse backgrounds, SACNAS helps ensure that their experiences are valued within academic and professional spaces.
In addition, many of our programs are shaped by the needs and interests of our members. Through conversations, feedback, and community engagement, we aim to design events and opportunities that reflect the lived experiences of the students we serve. This approach allows SACNAS to remain grounded in the community while continuing to create spaces where students feel a true sense of belonging.
One of the most meaningful outcomes we have observed is the sense of empowerment students gain after participating in SACNAS opportunities. Students who attend the SACNAS National NDiSTEM Conference consistently return feeling more confident in their goals, more connected to a national community of scientists, and more motivated to pursue careers in STEM. Many students from our chapter have also had the opportunity to present their research at the conference—an achievement in itself that allows them to share their work on a national stage while building confidence in their role as emerging scholars.
These experiences often translate into a stronger sense of leadership and engagement within the OSU community. Many general members who benefit from SACNAS programs later choose to give back by volunteering their time to serve as officers, mentors, or active members helping organize events. This cycle of participation and leadership has helped the chapter continue to grow while strengthening a culture of support and collaboration across campus.
Students often describe the experience as transformative. One attendee shared: “Attending the NDiSTEM Conference reminded me that representation matters—seeing people who look like me thriving in STEM showed me that I belong here too.” Moments like this reflect the broader impact SACNAS has on helping students feel seen, supported, and inspired to pursue goals that once felt out of reach.
Receiving the SACNAS Chapter of the Year award, among more than 150 chapters nationwide, recognizes the impact and dedication of the Oregon State University SACNAS community. This recognition highlights the consistent effort our chapter has made over more than a decade to create a space where students feel supported, represented, and encouraged to pursue careers in science.
It shows that the work being done at OSU, building community, supporting student leadership, and creating inclusive opportunities in STEM, has meaningful value not only on our campus, but within the broader SACNAS network. The award affirms that spaces like SACNAS matter because they help students feel that they truly belong in science and research.
What gives me hope is seeing students, like me, who are eager to grow and who actively seek out spaces that inspire them. Many students join SACNAS looking for community, mentorship, and guidance in navigating opportunities in STEM. Being surrounded by people who look like them, share similar experiences, or who have already achieved the goals they aspire to reach can be incredibly powerful. I have personally experienced this transformation—from not even knowing what research was when I first joined SACNAS, to later presenting my own research poster at the SACNAS National NDiSTEM Conference. Experiences like that show students that their goals are truly within reach.
Looking ahead, one of the greatest opportunities for continuing to advance inclusive excellence is expanding access for students to attend the SACNAS National Conference. Attending this conference allows students to connect with mentors, present their research, and see themselves reflected in the broader scientific community. However, a continued need is increased funding so that more students can access these opportunities and so chapters like ours can continue hosting the programs, workshops, and community events that help students grow.
The future of this work lies in continuing to invest in students who are passionate about learning, supporting one another, and giving back to their communities. When students are given the opportunity to step into spaces that inspire them, they begin to see that they too can lead, contribute, and shape the future of science.
