Congressman Gonzalez Announces Grant for UTRGV Latinas in STEM Symposium

WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) almost $250,000 in federal funding for the Symposium for Advancing STEM Latinas in Academic Careers. The federal funds will be made available to UTRGV on August 1, 2018.

Despite being one of the fastest growing demographics in the workforce, Latinas are underrepresented in STEM ‘science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.' UTRGV has sought to diversify the STEM workforce and empower students to pursue careers in these emerging fields.

This funding will allow the university to place particular emphasis on increasing the number of Latinas in these areas. The NSF symposium will provide a national platform to discuss and address the issues that affect the pathways, recruitment, retention, and advancement of Latinas in STEM careers.

"For years, UTRGV has been working to level the playing field and put women in the Rio Grande Valley on the path to prosperity," Congressman Gonzalez said. "This NSF funding, combined with existing programs, will enable UTRGV to continue putting women on the map and emerge as a powerhouse for Latina students in STEM."

The NSF aims to promote research, innovation, and discovery that invigorates economic growth through STEM. The symposium will allow Latina women to learn and develop the skills necessary to advance in these fields.

"We are very excited that the NSF has funded this project, which will address the issues that affect Latinas in STEM, therefore broadening their participation and inclusion in higher education," Principal Investigator Ala Qubbaj said. "Such issues are important in light of the vast underrepresentation of Latinas in STEM careers. This project will build on UTRGV's status as an Hispanic Serving Institution and a leader in addressing national issues related to the Hispanic population."

The symposium, set to be held in spring 2019 and 2020, will include presentations from scholars whose research focuses on Latinas in STEM as well as individual perspectives from Latina STEM faculty. It will take place in South Padre Island, Texas.

The lessons learned from the symposium, including all presentations and panel discussions, will be compiled and published in an edited volume, which will then be available as a resource for other academics.