Society that Supports Hispanics, Chicanos and Native Americans in Science Names Colorado State University a Top Chapter of Year

Note to Reporters: Photos of Arlene Nededog and the CSU chapter are available with the news release at http://www.news.colostate.edu/.

The Society for Advancement of Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, or SACNAS, has honored Colorado State University with the Chapter of the Year Award for chapters of 30 members or less.

Colorado State is one of only six chapters out of 53 to be recognized by the organization this year. The universities will be recognized at the annual conference in Anaheim, Calif., in the spring. The chapter is managed in the College of Natural Sciences by Arlene Nededog, director of Undergraduate Retention Programs.

“This is a great honor for the chapter and for Ms. Nededog, whose team works tirelessly to connect people from all racial, ethnic and professional backgrounds and encourage ethnically diverse students to pursue advanced degrees in science and engineering, preparing them for leadership in research and teaching careers,” said Colorado State Provost Rick Miranda.

Jan Nerger, interim dean of the College of Natural Sciences, describes Nededog as “an energetic leader whose passion for student success is unparalleled.”

The award was based on numerous factors including:
 • leadership development and overall cohesiveness of the chapter;
• the chapter’s extensive facilitation of the Rocky Mountain Regional Meeting;
• mentoring and tutoring with the Colorado Science and Engineering Fair and the Triunfo/Triumph Leadership Program – a partnership that matches undergraduate CSU tutors with underserved K-12 students in the Poudre School District; and
• involvement and funding support of Colorado Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, which aims to increase the number of ethnic minorities seeking bachelor’s degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or STEM, disciplines.

“The committee was especially impressed with how the chapter connected and partnered with various departments and programs within CSU and with other SACNAS chapters in Colorado,” said Tanya Beat, national chapter program manager for the organization. “Each area of strength supports the overall mission of SACNAS by promoting the attainment of advanced degrees in science, math and engineering by Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans.”

Serving on the advisory board of the CSU chapter are:
• Brad Reisfeld – Chemical and Biological Engineering
• Brett Beal – Coordinator, School of Biomedical Engineering
• David Gilkey – Environmental & Radiological Health Sciences
• Erica Suchman – Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology
• Iuliana Oprea – Mathematics
• Lisa Angeloni – Biology
• Paul Laybourn – Associate Dean, Natural Sciences and Biochemistry
• Shane Kanatous – Biology
• Shannon Archibeque-Engle – Animal Sciences
• Lawrence Goodridge – Animal Sciences
• Peter Dorhout – Vice Provost, Graduate Studies and Chemistry

Also receiving recognition from the national chapter are San Jose State University, UCLA, Clemson University, the University of Puerto Rico, the University of Washington and the University of Texas at San Antonio.

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