Bridging Dreams and STEM: HISPA Inspires the Next Generation at Princeton University
June 6, 2025 – Princeton, NJ
On June 6, 2025, over 80 8th-grade students from Dr. Antonia Pantoja School No. 27 and Christopher Columbus School No. 15 in Elizabeth, NJ, as well as PACE Charter School in Hamilton, NJ, stepped foot onto Princeton University’s campus. These students were guests at HISPA‘s 14th Youth Conference at this historic and prestigious institute. Co-sponsored by Princeton University Human Resources and the Office of the Provost, this full-day field trip is designed to inspire, build confidence, and offer a powerful glimpse into a future shaped by higher education and STEM careers.
Thanks to Lead Sponsor PSEG and in partnership with the NSF INVITE AI Institute, this year’s conference—themed “Take Action! Achieve Your Dreams”—invited students from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds to envision themselves in college and beyond. For many, this was their first visit to a university campus.
A signature HISPA program, Youth Conferences combine inspiring storytelling with immersive STEM learning, all conducted by HISPA Role Models who reflect students’ backgrounds and experiences. These role models share their personal journeys of perseverance and achievement, helping bridge the gap between where students are and where they can go.
The day opened with inspirational remarks from Dr. Maria E. Moreyra Garlock, Daniel Tsui Professor in Engineering and Co-Director of the Program in Architecture and Engineering at Princeton University, and Yamile Perez, a College Program Administrator at Princeton’s Mathey College. Dr. Garlock shared her passion for bridges—not only as impressive feats of engineering but as symbols of connection, resilience, and purpose. Her words encouraged students to see STEM as a path to creating positive change.
“Our stories matter,” Perez followed. “Perseverance comforts fear,” he said, reminding students to own their narratives and trust in their ability to succeed.
Students also participated in hands-on STEM workshops led by top corporate and academic partners. In addition to Verizon’s Seven Bridges Problem, where students used critical thinking and problem-solving through a challenge, students also participated in a series of STEM Career Exploration Workshops:
- Transmission Towers Overview, hosted by PSEG
- Let’s Do Some Experiments!, hosted by Merck
- Workshop on Biotech & Innovation, hosted by Bristol Myers Squibb
- The Commodities Game, hosted by Bloomberg
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, hosted by INVITE AI Institute
These sessions introduced students to real-world STEM challenges and opened their eyes to the range of college majors and career opportunities available in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The day concluded with an electrifying call to action by Carlos Ojeda Jr. of CoolSpeak. “You have the power to change your future,” he declared. His message to students—and to the volunteers who make HISPA’s work possible—was clear: our words are powerful. Our stories inspire action, and expressing belief in our students helps them believe in themselves, which can transform their futures.
For nearly two decades, HISPA has worked to dismantle the barriers that prevent low-income youth from pursuing higher education. By mobilizing professionals to serve as role models, HISPA helps predominantly low-income students—many of whom will be the first in their families to attend college—access college and career information and inspires them to pursue these opportunities. Events like the Youth Conference exemplify HISPA’s mission: to inspire students to discover their potential and embrace education to achieve success.
As students boarded their buses home, their faces glowed with excitement and newfound confidence. The day’s message rang clear: just like the Role Models they met, they, too, have the power to take action and achieve their academic and professional dreams.
Thank you to our volunteers from Bloomberg, Bristol Myers Squibb, ETS, INVITE, Merck, PSEG, Princeton University and Latino Princetonians, Passaic County Community College, Verizon, and the HISPA community.
HISPA programs are possible thanks to our 2024-25 Founding Partner Verizon, Co-founding Partners and Supporters Merck, Bloomberg, the Delta Dental Foundation, and PSEG, and Annual Partners Amazon, Bank of America, Bristol Myers Squibb, ETS, Prudential Financial, and Visa. HISPA is a UnidosUS affiliate.
