In honor of International Latina Engineer Week, we’ll chat with long-time friends and colleagues, Maria and Gabriela, who together have forged powerful partnerships to help STEM students thrive at Hispanic-serving schools and facilitate seamless transitions into the workforce.

How can we ensure that earning a degree actually helps to open doors and create opportunities that change lives? What systems or structures can be put in place to advance young professionals who have been marginalized or had limited access to pursuing a degree or training program? How can institutions work together toward transformative change that can help young professionals of color thrive?

We'll dig into all these questions and more to take a look at how institutions from higher education to corporate businesses can offer the support young professionals need to find a sense of belonging and succeed in the long term. Join us!

Featured Speaker: Maria Reyes (Phoenix College)

With over 25 years of experience in higher education ranging from student and academic affairs to institutional development, Maria is currently the Dean of Industry and Public Service at Phoenix College. In addition to overseeing a $2.4 million project to increase STEM student retention at Hispanic-serving institutions, Maria also works with middle and high school students to increase the number of Latinas pursuing engineering.

Featured Speaker: Dr. Gabriela A. Gonzalez (Intel Foundation)

As Deputy Director, Gabriela manages Intel’s corporate social responsibility programs supporting STEM in schools and has become Intel’s “go-to person for anything that has to do with promoting STEM for women.” Gabriela is all about listening and localizing to change the narrative for the next generation of STEM innovators.

Host: Andronica Klaas

Q&A Moderator: Vanessa Raponi

DiscoverE's Persist Series is a monthly series creating conversations to help women persevere and thrive in engineering and tech careers. Connect with thousands of women around the world to watch an inspiring TED-style video and candidly share stories, navigate workplace challenges, and discuss effective tactics to help women stay and advance in the field.

Other Upcoming Persist Series Episodes:

Wednesday, November 10: Inside-Out Transformation: Overcoming The Challenge Of Change

Agenda (listed in Eastern Time Zone)

• 2:00-2:30: live-streamed video featuring keynote speaker(s)
• 2:30-3:00: facilitated live Q&A with the speaker(s)

Event Platform Details

• This event will be hosted on Zoom (please make sure the Zoom application is installed on your device).

• The Zoom link will be made available to participants through Eventbrite's Online Event Page. Participants will receive the Online Event Page link via their provided email as soon as they register.

• Online registration is mandatory.

Questions about the event? Contact: PersistSeries@dothegoodery.com.