Latinas in STEM is a new registered student organization (RSO) at Illinois State University that provides educational and social opportunities for Latina women majoring in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM)-related programs, while also helping them connect through Latinx culture.
“It gives people the opportunity to find the community that they’ve been looking for, or a sense of home away from home,” said Natalie Montanez, a junior psychology major and founder of Latinas in STEM.
While the group just launched during the spring semester, it has grown rapidly with an outpouring of interest.
Natasha Henriquez, a junior nursing major is the RSO’s president and treasurer. She discovered Latinas in STEM last semester and “immediately knew it was something straight up (her) alley.”
“I love Illinois State so much, equally as much as I love my home in Chicago,” said Henriquez. “But I am missing the Spanish culture we have at home.”
“It’s really nice to meet so many people who are going through the same thing and build those friendships and bonds.”
Natalie Montanez
Montanez and Henriquez plan to host social events, like a Lotería Night where attendees can celebrate Latinx culture while connecting with Latinas in STEM members.
“We have freshman through seniors, so being able to talk to a senior that’s doing something similar to you will be a huge benefit of the group,” said Henriquez.
Montanez also hopes to support Latina women who are acclimating to college life.
“It’s really nice to meet so many people who are going through the same thing and build those friendships and bonds,” said Montanez.
Henriquez said she wants this group to provide a space for members to learn more about their own cultures and others.
“We have women whose families are from all over Latin America,” said Henriquez. “There’s a lot of opportunity for us to learn from each other culturally—a lot of different foods, music, lingo, and games.”
Henriquez also hopes to be a role model for younger women in the group. She remembers feeling overwhelmed as a freshman and wanting to return home at first.
“I genuinely get so much joy out of being able to help other people going through the same thing,” said Henriquez.
As the semester progresses, the RSO aims to raise funds for Latinx charities, offer cultural and educational opportunities, and provide networking opportunities for their members with STEM professionals.
Both Henriquez and Montanez have connections, through their families, with professional women in STEM who they plan to invite as guest speakers. They credit these women and other family members in their lives for helping them get to where they are today.
“A lot of my family members are nurses and doctors back home (in El Salvador),” said Henriquez. “I’m a first-generation student, and I take so much pride in bringing my knowledge and background into my profession.”
Montanez said her mom is her biggest role model.
“(My mom’s) parents came here from Mexico and didn’t know the language,” Montanez said. “They worked whatever jobs they could. She didn’t go to the best high school and didn’t finish it the right way, but now she’s the biggest IT nerd I know. My aunt also works in the STEM field as a doctor. I would like for our events to have representatives from one of each: science, technology, engineering, and math.”
Montanez hopes Latinas in STEM continues to impact students beyond her time at Illinois State.
I want this to last after I’m gone and after our freshmen are gone,” said Montanez. “I want this RSO to continue to grow, because I think that it’s time and it’s deserved.”
To join, students must have at least a 2.5 GPA and be a STEM major. Students interested in joining Latinas in STEM can connect through Instagram or Redbird Life. Alumni interested in being a guest speaker can connect with the organization via email at latinasinstemilstu@gmail.com.
