HISTORY

2013 Chester Ruiz and Arturo Aleman begin discussions about the fundamental need to improve the representation of Latinos in the Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).  Chester was working out of an incubator in Silicon Valley named the nestGSV where he worked with a team of individuals who wanted to expand the horizons for Dreamers.  Arturo worked out of Sacramento where he provided consulting services to for profit, nonprofit and government organizations and where he helped to found United Latinos, Promoviendo Accion Civica a civic engagement nonprofit.  With the help of Chester's team at the nest they held a one day conference at the nestGSV to discuss Latinos in Technology.  Margarita Colmenares is in attendance and likes what she hears.

2014 Margarita Colmenares  joins the discussion and soon thereafter the three founders form the Latino STEM Association (LSA).  On May 13, 2014 Latino STEM, Inc. was incorporated with the California Secretary of State. LSA is dedicated to enhancing the educational and professional development of Latinos in the United States.

2015 the IRS recognizes LSA  as as a Section 172 nonprofit organization on February 1, 2015.  By combining their unique talents the three founders decided to organize a conference for Latino students to encourage them to enter the STEM fields.  In June the LSA entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of California, Davis (UCD) to hold the conference.  Students and alumni from UC Davis, Sacramento State University and Stanford University volunteer to organize the conference.  On September 26, 2014, Latino STEM Association held the first Latino STEM Conference in collaboration with the University of California, Davis campus and United Latinos. More than 200 students attend six  seminars and continuous training on matriculation and financial aid.  The conference was sponsored by UCD, United Latinos, Dreamerlogix, SES, Intel, and several local school districts.

Find out more about the conference at the Conference tab.  

See:  Vida en el Valle:  http://www.vidaenelvalle.com/news/state/california/sacramento/article36981285.html