Five Skyline College MESA students. accompanied by MESA Co-Director and math professor Denise Hum and biotechnology professor Nick Kapp, recently traveled to Columbus, Ohio to attend the SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference, one of the largest STEM events in the country. The annual conference brings together thousands of students, professionals, and researchers from across the country to celebrate culture, share cutting-edge research, and expand opportunities for underrepresented groups in science.
For Skyline College’s MESA students, the experience was both eye-opening and deeply inspiring. Andrea Anderson, a neuroscience and microbiology major, shared that hearing from scientists like Dr. Jessica Hernandez reminded her why representation matters. “It made me realize that I do belong in science. During my time at the SACNAS conference in Columbus, I felt something I’ve never experienced before, a deep sense of belonging and connection to my roots.”
Noel Amankrah-Bonsu, a data science major, appreciated the breadth of opportunities available at SACNAS, noting, “There were a lot of summer research opportunities and internships, for both undergraduate and graduate students. It very nice to see both were being accommodated for.” Natassja Reintegrado, majoring in Computer Science, reflected on the power of community, “The SACNAS experience shows how people from different backgrounds in science come together to inspire and support each other.”
For Shahd Bader, a biology major, every moment was a chance to grow. “There were so many chances to network with professionals, explore different colleges, and learn about research programs and internships that could help me in my future career,” she said. Fellow biology major Libni Murillo Martinez was particularly inspired by environmental public health research, adding, “This opportunity motivated me to seek internships that combine biology, sustainability, and health, while continuing to expand my knowledge in these fields.”
One session that stood out to Nick Kapp the most was “Salsa Your Way to Science Communication” with Professors Jennifer Aleman and Stephanie Pazos. “They began by teaching us basic salsa steps, comparing those movements to early stages in a scientific career. Then, as in dancing, they reminded us that when we communicate, we must read our audience — our “dance partners” — and adjust accordingly. Sometimes that means pausing, listening, or changing rhythm, so that everyone can stay engaged.”
The conference was also an opportunity for our MESA students to connect with MESA students from across California community colleges. The MESA directors organized a get together on Halloween for everyone to have lunch together and take a group photo. Noel said, “There were two students I met right after the group picture, and I got to talk with them about Hackathons as they both participated in a few before they solidified their major.”
These experiences also reinforced why Skyline College MESA’s support for conferences like SACNAS matters so deeply. By funding and encouraging student participation, the program helps emerging scientists gain confidence, meet role models, and begin shaping the trajectory of their careers. We look forward to bringing what we learned, perhaps even a little salsa, back to campus soon.
MESA – Math, Engineering, Science Achievement – is an academic enrichment program that helps educationally underrepresented students excel in math and science and graduate from college with degrees in math-based fields. Founded in 1970, the MESA program serves pre-college, community college, and university students at over 90 sites throughout California. Skyline College’s MESA Program is part of the MESA California Community College Programs (MCCP).
To learn more about or apply for the Skyline College MESA program, please visit www.skylinecollege.edu/mesa or email skymesa@smccd.edu.
