The second Hispanic
STEM Career Forum was held on Wednesday September 21, 2011 at the Campus Vista
Conference Room with approximately a dozen STEM students in attendance. Three mathematics professionals addressed the
students with messages of encouragement and a call to self-determination.
Crispin Zamudio is the
director of e-Institute Charter Schools where he supervises six charter schools. He traced his personal drive to succeed back
to his days as a “campesino” (farm worker) at the age of four until his teenage
years, along with his family. He
explained that the harsh conditions and the difficulties associated with this
life motivate young Hispanics to aim higher and to be successful professionals. He described his years in high school when he
participated in the Joaquin Bustoz Math and Science Honors Program (MSHP) and
how this was pivotal in his going on to study math at Arizona State University. Mr. Zamudio said that it was through
individuals who believed in him like Dr. Bustoz (who became his mentor) and his
elementary teachers, who encouraged him to pursue a math career, that he
completed his math degree.
The second
presenter, Cinday Barragan, MSHP Senior Coordinator and math faculty at South
Mountain Community College, shared her experience of navigating to and through
college and her beginnings with MSHP also.
She noted that Mr. Zamudio was her counselor and that she, in turn, was
the counselor for Laura Torres (who is the organizer of the Forum and also the
Title V Interim Math and Science Specialist who oversees the STEM Scholars
program) when Laura participated in MSHP.
Ms. Barragan echoed Mr. Zamudio’s sentiments and stressed the importance
of support networks. “Collaborate to
graduate” and get connected with programs that will support your professional
goals. Ms. Barragan also recounted
earlier experiences in which “well-meaning” instructors tried to dissuade her
from pursuing her goals to study astronomy.
Ultimately, through a NASA internship, she determined for herself to
shift from astronomy to mathematics. Ms.
Barragan conveyed to attendees that they, themselves, ought to decide their own
future and not to allow anyone to dictate to them what they can or cannot do.
The third guest
presenter was Cleopatria Martinez, math faculty at Phoenix College. Ms. Martinez shared a few sections of her
life story, which is depicted in the book she wrote along with nine other Ph.D.-level
Chicana professionals. She described how, throughout her schooling, she
noticed much of the cultural differences but did not let them become a barrier
in her success. She said that she is
very proud of her culture and she encouraged attendees to not let anybody put them
down and to strive to do their best work.
Mr. Zamudio advised
the attendees (as he does his students) to network “because it is not what you
know, but who you know.” He added, “if
by the end of the forum you have not obtained a business card from me, you are
at a disadvantage [because you are one person short from reaching your goal].” Naturally, he distributed his business card
to the students attending. The aim of
the Hispanic STEM Career Forum series is to provide students the opportunity to
meet and network with inspiring Hispanic professionals. Two more forums will continue in October
2011.
