HISPA Youth Conference

HISPA Youth Conferences—themed, “Take Action! Achieve Your Dreams!”—bring about 100 8th grade students to a university campus to excite them about college life, emphasize the importance of high school to college success, and engage their exploration of various STEM careers possible with a college education. Students engage in hands-on STEM-focused workshops and hear from positive, inspirational speakers who inspire them to pursue futures in high-skill STEM careers. Youth Conferences help solidify interest in STEM by showing students its real-world applications.

HISPA Youth Conferences ensure the participation of historically underrepresented and underserved students and have empowered more than 3,500 students to see themselves in these spaces. 97% of students qualify for free or reduced-cost lunch. These full-day trips are, for many students, their first experience with higher education.

The HISPA Youth Conference at Montclair State University will take place March 10, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This event is for HISPA students and volunteers who are invited to participate; it is closed to the general public.