Thank you for helping with round table moderation for Adelante! Review the questions below for each group session at the conference. Visit the conference home page for more information.

Round Table Questions

QUESTION PROMPTS FOR ROUND TABLES 

FRIDAY 10:45 AM Theme 1: HSI missions, funding and grant support for STEM student success (SERRANO) 

Table Moderators: Alfonso, Andrade Rounds, Russell, Yee, Werner-Washburne, Nunez-Rodriguez, Krug, Mizumori, Elliott, Martinez-Acosta 

  • What are the current funding landscape and opportunities available for supporting STEM student success at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and how have they evolved over time?
  • What are the main challenges or barriers that STEM students at HSIs face in accessing grants and funding opportunities, and how can these challenges be addressed?
  • How can HSIs effectively leverage federal, state, and private funding sources to support STEM student success initiatives, including scholarships, fellowships, research grants, and experiential learning opportunities?
  • What role do partnerships with industry, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic foundations play in providing financial support and resources for STEM students at HSIs?
  • How can HSIs ensure that funding and support mechanisms are equitable and accessible to all STEM students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds or marginalized communities?
  • What strategies have been successful in promoting student engagement and retention in STEM disciplines through grants and funding initiatives at HSIs?
  • How can HSIs integrate financial literacy and career readiness components into STEM funding programs to empower students with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate their academic and professional pathways?
  • What impact do grants and funding opportunities have on fostering a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and research excellence among STEM students at HSIs?
  • What metrics or indicators should be used to assess the effectiveness and impact of grants and funding support on STEM student success outcomes at HSIs?
  • Looking ahead, what emerging trends or best practices in grant-making and funding strategies hold the greatest promise for enhancing STEM student success at HSIs, and how can institutions adapt to capitalize on these opportunities?

 

FRIDAY 3 PM Theme 2 Building Capacity to Support STEM students at Diverse HSIs post COVID pandemic – STEM curriculum & research experiences, career pathways (DESMOND)

Table Moderators: Alfonso, Andrade Rounds, Russell, Yee, Werner-Washburne, Nunez-Rodriguez, Krug, Mizumori, Elliott, Martinez-Acosta 

  • How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the institutional capacity of diverse Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) to support STEM students, and what lessons have been learned from this experience?
  • What strategies can HSIs implement to strengthen essential STEM curriculum and research experiences for students, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, in the wake of the pandemic?
  • How can HSIs ensure that STEM curriculum and research experiences are culturally responsive and inclusive, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of their student populations?
  • What role do faculty development programs and professional development opportunities play in building institutional capacity to support STEM students at diverse HSIs?
  • What research infrastructure is necessary to offer competitive curriculum and research experiences for STEM students at HSIs?
  • How can HSIs forge partnerships with industry, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to provide students with meaningful internship, co-op, and research opportunities that align with their career interests and goals?
  • What resources and support services are essential for guiding STEM students through career pathways and facilitating their transition into the workforce or graduate/professional programs? 
  • How can HSIs leverage alumni networks and mentorship programs to connect STEM students with professionals in their field and provide them with guidance and support as they navigate their career paths?
  • What role does community engagement and outreach play in building institutional capacity to support STEM students at diverse HSIs, and how can partnerships with local organizations enhance these efforts?
  • What strategic priorities and investments should HSIs prioritize to further enhance their capacity to support STEM students from diverse backgrounds, ensuring their success in both academic and professional spheres?

 

SATURDAY 10:00 AM Theme 3: Demographic Identities and STEM Faculty/Student Experiences (race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, socioeconomic status, immigration status, other factors) (ZAVALA) 

Table Moderators: Garcia, Morris, Ulloa, Contreras, Delgado-Cruzata, Pilgrim, Avant, Corey-Rivas, Ricoy, Bhattarai 

  • What features of the speaker’s presentation resonated with your experiences and views?
  • How do the intersectional identities of STEM faculty and students at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) influence their experiences within the broader academic community?
  • What specific challenges do faculty and students from underrepresented demographic groups face in STEM fields at HSIs, and how do these challenges differ from those encountered at non-HSI institutions?
  • What role do institutional policies, practices, and resources play in addressing the unique needs and experiences of faculty and students from underrepresented demographic backgrounds in STEM fields at HSIs?
  • How do stereotypes, biases, and microaggressions based on demographic identity impact the recruitment, retention, and advancement of faculty and students in STEM disciplines at HSIs? 
  • What strategies have been successful in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM education and research at HSIs, particularly with regard to supporting faculty and student populations from underrepresented backgrounds?
  • How can HSIs leverage the cultural and linguistic assets of their diverse faculty and student populations to enrich STEM education and research initiatives?
  • What mentorship, networking, and professional development opportunities are available to support faculty and students from underrepresented demographic groups in STEM fields at HSIs?

 

SATURDAY 11:20 AM Theme 4  Disciplinary Identity and STEM Faculty/Student Experiences (convergence of various fields or specialties within the broader STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines; demographic identities and experiences across STEM fields) (JUAREZ) 

Table Moderators: Garcia, Morris, Ulloa, Contreras, Delgado-Cruzata, Pilgrim, Avant, Corey-Rivas, Ricoy, Bhattarai 

  • How do the intersectional identities of STEM faculty and students at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) influence their experiences within their discipline? 
  • How do the experiences of STEM faculty and students at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) vary across different disciplines, and what factors contribute to these variations? 
  • What are some discipline-specific challenges faced by faculty and students from underrepresented demographic groups in STEM fields at HSIs, and how do these challenges differ between disciplines? 
  • How do institutional resources, support services, and opportunities for professional development vary across different STEM disciplines at HSIs, and how do these variations impact the experiences of faculty and students from underrepresented demographic backgrounds? 
  • What role do disciplinary cultures and norms play in shaping the experiences of faculty and students from diverse demographic backgrounds in STEM fields at HSIs? 
  • How can interdisciplinary collaborations and cross-disciplinary initiatives at HSIs facilitate greater inclusivity and support for faculty and students from underrepresented demographic groups in STEM disciplines? 
  • How do faculty and students from underrepresented demographic backgrounds navigate the intersections of their identities within different STEM disciplines at HSIs, and how do these intersections influence their experiences? 
  • What strategies have been successful in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within specific STEM disciplines at HSIs, and how can these strategies be adapted and replicated across other disciplines? 
  • How do disparities in representation and access to opportunities for research, funding, and recognition vary across different STEM disciplines at HSIs, and what steps can be taken to address these disparities? 
  • How do perceptions of merit, competence, and belonging differ among faculty and students from underrepresented demographic backgrounds across different STEM disciplines at HSIs, and how can these perceptions be addressed? 

 

SATURDAY 1:45 PM Theme 5 Panel and Discussion:  Gen AI: Challenges and Opportunities for STEM at HSIs (DESMOND) 

Table Moderators: Self Identify 

  • What are the potential benefits of integrating generative AI technologies into STEM education and research at Hispanic serving institutions (HSIs), and how can they enhance student learning experiences and research outcomes? 
  • What are some of the main challenges or barriers that HSIs may face in adopting and implementing generative AI tools in STEM education and research, and how can these challenges be addressed? 
  • How can generative AI technologies be used to address specific educational needs or gaps in STEM fields at HSIs, particularly in terms of supporting underrepresented student populations? 
  • What ethical considerations or concerns arise from the use of generative AI in STEM education and research at HSIs, and how can they be navigated effectively? 
  • How can HSIs ensure equitable access to generative AI tools and resources for students and faculty members, especially considering potential disparities in technology access and proficiency? 
  • What opportunities do generative AI technologies present for fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in STEM education and research at HSIs? 
  • How can generative AI be integrated into existing STEM curriculum at HSIs to complement traditional teaching methods and promote deeper conceptual understanding? 
  • What role can partnerships with industry, research institutions, and other stakeholders play in supporting the adoption and implementation of generative AI technologies in STEM education and research at HSIs? 
  • What strategies can be employed to effectively train faculty members and students in the use of generative AI tools and ensure they are proficient in leveraging these technologies for educational and research purposes? 
  • What trends or developments do you foresee in the use of generative AI in STEM education and research at HSIs, and how can institutions prepare for them? 

 

SATURDAY 3:45 PM Theme 6  Panel and Discussion:  Supporting STEM Faculty/Staff at HSIs (ZAVALA) 

Open Discussion/Attendee perspectives 

  • What unique challenges do STEM faculty at Hispanic serving institutions face in balancing research and teaching responsibilities, and how can these challenges be effectively addressed? 
  • What resources and support mechanisms are necessary to foster a productive and inclusive research environment for STEM faculty at Hispanic serving institutions? 
  • In what ways can Hispanic serving institutions facilitate opportunities for STEM faculty to engage in interdisciplinary research collaborations, both within and outside of their respective departments? 
  • How can mentorship and professional development programs be tailored to meet the needs of STEM faculty at Hispanic serving institutions, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds? 
  • What strategies have been successful in promoting work-life balance and preventing burnout among STEM faculty members at Hispanic serving institutions? 
  • How can Hispanic serving institutions support STEM faculty in securing external funding for research projects, especially in competitive grant environments? 
  • What role do institutional policies and practices play in fostering a supportive and inclusive climate for STEM faculty, particularly with regard to tenure and promotion processes?
  • What initiatives or programs have been effective in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion among STEM faculty at Hispanic serving institutions, and how can these efforts be expanded or improved?
  • How can STEM faculty at Hispanic serving institutions be encouraged to incorporate innovative pedagogical approaches and educational technologies into their teaching practices?
  • What strategies and best practices can be adopted to further support and empower STEM faculty at Hispanic serving institutions in their dual roles as researchers and educators?

 

Moderators – Friday 

Alfonso, Andrade Rounds, Russell, Yee, Werner-Washburne, Nunez-Rodriguez, Krug, Mizumori, Elliott, Martinez-Acosta 

  • Aixa Alfonso Associate Professor Biological Sciences University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Illinois 
  • Brenda Andrade Rounds Assistant Professor Chemistry and Biochemistry California State University Los Angeles Los Angeles California
  • Brock Richard Russell Associate Professor Physical Science Riverside City College Riverside California
  • Kevin Yee Director Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning University of Central Florida Orlando Florida
  • Maggie Werner Washburne Regents Professor emerita Biology University of New Mexico Albuquerque New Mexico
  • Nelson J Nunez Rodriguez Professor Natural Sciences Hostos Community College Bronx New York
  • Edward Krug, Medical University  of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
  • Sheri Mizumori Professor Psychology and Neuroscience University of Washington Seattle Washington
  • Taffeta Marie Elliott Chair and Assoc Prof of PsychologyCommunication, Liberal Arts and Social Sciences New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Socorro New Mexico
  • Veronica Giselle Martinez Acosta Professor of Biology/Program Director, UIW LSAMP Biology Univ. of the Incarnate Word San Antonio Texas 

 

Moderators – Saturday 

Garcia, Morris, Ulloa, Contreras, Delgado-Cruzata, Pilgrim, Avant, Corey-Rivas, Ricoy, Bhattarai 

  • Cynthia Garcia Counselor Counseling/ Science Math and Engineering Pathway Mt. San Jacinto College Temecula California
  • Eliza Morris Associate professor Physics California State University, Sacramento Sacramento California
  • Emilio C. Ulloa Assc. Chief Diversity Officer for HSI and Regional Affairs Student Affairs and Campus Diversity San Diego State University San Diego California
  • Heidy Lorena Contreras Assistant Professor Biology CSU San Bernardino San Bernardino California
  • Lissette Beacon Delgado-Cruzata Associate Professor Sciences John Jay College, CUNY New York New York
  • Mary Elizabeth Pilgrim Associate Professor Mathematics and Statistics San Diego State University San Diego California
  • Robin Laura Avant Dean of Faculty and Staff/Professor Academic Affairs Housatonic Community College Bridgeport Connecticut
  • Sarah Corey-Rivas Associate Professor Biology New Mexico Highlands University Las Vegas New Mexico
  • Ulises Ricoy Faculty Director Neuroscience University of Arizona Tucson Arizona
  • Umesh Bhattarai Assistant Professor Department of Chemistry Adams State University Alamosa Colorado

 

Updated on: 3/18/24