Hosting Organization: HISPA, Inc.
County: Mercer
HISPA, a nonprofit organization inspiring youth to pursue education and high-skill careers, particularly in STEM, hosted a Youth Conference at Montclair State University on March 26, 2025, celebrating New Jersey STEM Month. Themed “Take Action! Achieve Your Dreams,” the day-long event united more than 100 middle school students from Christopher Columbus School in Elizabeth, Herbert Hoover Middle School in Edison, and Mario J. Drago School in Passaic, NJ, with STEM professionals from nearby businesses, allowing students to explore college life and STEM studies.
The conference was co-sponsored by the Office for Hispanic Initiatives at Montclair State University and co-hosted by Prudential Financial, with additional funding provided by PSEG, the New Jersey STEM Pathways Network, and the Overdeck Family Foundation.
“Research shows that students from low-income communities often have less access to role models in STEM careers, which limits their awareness of and aspirations to pursue these fields,” said Dr. Ivonne Diaz-Claisse, founder and CEO of HISPA. “HISPA’s Youth Conferences help bridge this gap by connecting students with relatable role models from STEM-focused companies.”
Hands-on STEM career exploration workshops are central to HISPA’s Youth Conferences. Led by professionals from Prudential, PSEG, Crum & Forster, Verizon, and Merck, the interactive workshops demonstrated STEM’s real-world applications, such as financial planning, scientific experimentation, and engineering challenges, stoking excitement and curiosity about STEM careers.
In addition to STEM workshops, middle schoolers learned about transitioning from high school to higher education through a Q&A panel with college students from Montclair State University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Passaic County Community College (PCCC). Attending students were also joined by future educators from PCCC for mentorship and problem-solving activities.
Throughout the day, students heard inspirational remarks from industry leaders, including Nick Fuentes of Medable, Johana Valencia-Duque from Prudential Financial, and Dr. Katia Paz Goldfarb from the Office for Hispanic Initiatives at Montclair State University. They also attended a motivational address delivered by Dr. Michelle Hernandez, Merck’s Director of Occupational Toxicology. Musical performances from The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey ended the day on an upbeat note. Students left inspired and equipped with the knowledge and motivation to make their STEM dreams a reality.
“Exposure to STEM role models is proven to boost students’ interest in pursuing STEM education,” said Dr. Díaz-Claisse. “We are proud to host an event during New Jersey STEM Month that provides students with the role models and experiences they need to envision a future in STEM.”
HISPA’s educational programs are made possible by Founding Partner Verizon, Co-founding Partners and Supporters Merck, Bloomberg, the Delta Dental Foundation, and the PSEG Foundation, and Annual Partners Amazon, Bank of America, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Citi, ETS, Prudential, and Visa. HISPA is a UnidosUS Affiliate.
To view photos from the event, please visit our Flickr.
For more information about HISPA and its Youth Conferences, please visit http://www.hispa.org.