Princeton University Hosts HISPA’s Final Youth Conference of the 2025–2026 Academic Year PRINCETON, NJ – On June 3, 2026, HISPA proudly concluded its sixth and final Youth Conference of the 2025-2026 academic year at Princeton University, welcoming 85 eighth-grade students from Grace A. Dunn Middle School in Trenton and PACE Charter School in Hamilton, New […]
Norristown Students Attend HISPA’s First-Ever Youth Conference at the University of Pennsylvania PHILADELPHIA, PA — On May 11, 2026, HISPA proudly hosted its first-ever Youth Conference at the University of Pennsylvania, welcoming 80 seventh grade students from Eisenhower Science and Technology Leadership Academy in Norristown, PA, for a day focused on college access, STEM exploration, […]
HISPA Hosts First-Ever Youth Conference at Kean University Focused on Healthcare and Science Careers 140 Elizabeth Public School Students Explore Pathways in Healthcare, Mental Health, Dentistry, and STEM UNION, N.J. — HISPA proudly hosted its first-ever Youth Conference at Kean University, bringing together 140 8th grade students from the Elizabeth Public Schools for a […]
HISPA Marks NJ STEM Month with Back-to-Back Youth Conferences at Montclair State and Rider PRINCETON, New Jersey – March in New Jersey marks NJ STEM Month, a time dedicated to science, innovation, and imagination, where young students begin to see themselves as future engineers, scientists, and leaders. To celebrate the season, HISPA convened two powerful […]
HISPA Hosts First-Ever Youth Conference at Rutgers University to Affirm the Dreams of Middle Schoolers Aspiring to College New Brunswick, New Jersey – October 24, 2025 — HISPA, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to affirming the college and career aspirations of youth from low-income communities, hosted its first-ever Youth Conference at Rutgers University. Co-hosted by […]
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 […]
April 2, 2025 – 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 www.hispa.org.
HISPA was featured in AMERICANO Newspaper for its recent Youth Conferences at Princeton University and AT&T, which inspired future Latino leaders. You can read the article here. You may also view it in its entirety below. HISPA Inspires Future Latino Leaders with Dynamic Youth Conferences at Princeton University and AT&T HISPA (Hispanics Inspiring Students’ […]
Dear partners and volunteers of HISPA’s 2024 Youth Conference at Montclair State University, We did it! HISPA’s first Youth Conference at Montclair State University was a great success because of your hard work and dedication. With the support of more than 40 volunteers, we delivered inspiration and information to nearly 150 students. We could not […]
HISPA Hosts Youth Conference at Montclair State University to Empower Latino Middle School Students Passaic, New Jersey — March 27, 2024 — HISPA, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Latino youth through education, hosted its first-ever Youth Conference at Montclair State University yesterday, March 26th. The event, co-hosted by Montclair State University’s Office […]