Celebrating the New Tufts SACNAS Chapter
This story was developed by Ivan Albino Flores and members of the Tufts SACNAS Executive Board, including Iris Montes, Andrea Rebolledo Viveros, and Ariana Calderon Zavala. Aimee Shen, PhD, a member of our Molecular Microbiology program, serves as the advisor for the group.
What is SACNAS?
SACNAS, which stands for Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science, was established in 1973 to connect students, researchers, and professionals who identify as Chicano/Hispanic or Native American to further their success and obtain opportunities that can advance their careers, help them assume leadership positions, and make these historically disadvantaged groups be more visible and empowered.
GSBS and Tufts now have a nationally recognizes chapter of SACNAS. This new chapter grew from hard work and dedication by a number of graduate students and faculty. The chapter grew out of work from the Tufts SPINES program.
What does SACNAS do?
Tufts SACNAS coordinates joint science and community outreach events and regularly collaborates with other student organizations in the Tufts Community, such as the Tufts Biotech Group (TBG), the Tufts Micro Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, and Tufts Graduate Women in Science and Engineering (GWiSE).
We coordinate cultural and career/professional development events for our community at Tufts. These include cultural events such as Hispanic Heritage and African American History Month celebrations. Along with professional development events such as biotech companies’ on-site visits, panel sessions related to ongoing DEI topics, and coordination and planning of research symposiums such as the Summer Symposium for Pipeline Programs (S2P2), held every August.
What are the Goals of Tufts SACNAS?
Tufts SACNAS hopes to continue expanding and provide an open and safe space for underrepresented students at Tufts to have dialogues regarding personal challenges and ongoing issues happening on and off campus and discuss potential solutions.
Tufts SACNAS is comprised of students whose heritages come from all over Latin America and the US. The Hispanic and Native American cultures are so diverse and rich thus, educating our Tufts community about our cultures and traditions is extremely important to promote a more aware, tolerant, and appreciative next generation of scientists at the Tufts community.
We would like to provide professional development and career opportunities to all students at Tufts. Finally, we want to continue expanding outreach opportunities to communities, schools, and colleges in the Boston area to provide information and inspire young, talented students into careers in STEM.
What SACNAS Means to our Students
Iris Montes, GMCB
When I began my journey at Tufts, a predominantly white institution (PWI), it was challenging to find my place, especially after coming from a Hispanic-serving institution. However, I was fortunate to connect with others who shared the need for a space where people of color (POC) could come together—a space that fostered a sense of safety for mental and emotional well-being, identity development, and academic growth.
In undergrad, I was deeply involved with our SACNAS chapter, and I witnessed the lasting impact it continues to have on the campus. The idea of formalizing such spaces in graduate school was driven by the desire to create a long-lasting community—one that ensures future POC graduate students have a platform to not only develop personally but also evolve into leaders who make meaningful contributions in their fields.
To me creating these spaces is deeply personal. I think it has allowed POC graduate students including myself to feel comfortable showing up to work more authentically but it has also allowed us to connect to the greater GSBS as a whole.
Ariana Calkwood Calderon-Zavala, Molecular Microbiology
Personally, I think SACNAS has not only helped me find my community but also connect with the rest of Tufts GSBS. Through our events, we’ve been able to share our culture, inform people about the differences that exist among Spanish and Latin American countries, and also help connect Latinx and Spanish students across the departments here at GSBS. We’ve had some great social events that I feel have helped connect students and inform the greater student body, and to me, that is really special.