Women of Color in STEM Event Celebrates Fifth Anniversary

November 12, 2026 - 03:08 PM

Mt. SAC celebrated the fifth anniversary of its Women of Color in STEM event; an annual event that aims to inspire students and address the underrepresentation of women of color in STEM fields.

This year's event featured three panelists who shared what sparked their interest in STEM, the paths they took to build their careers and the lessons they learned along the way.

Martha Arciniega, an educator from Birch Aquarium, was spurred on to a career in STEM doing science fairs in elementary school.

“One experiment that propelled me into biology… was one about plants and their ability to follow the light,” she explained.

Arciniega said her experiment was a simple shoe box with a maze inside and a hole cutout letting in light. She used a bean plant, which grew its way to follow the maze out to the light.

“By highlighting the experiences and accomplishments of women of color in STEM. the event helps increase their visibility and reinforces the importance of representation in STEM,” said Biology Professor Anthony Xavier Lopez.

Three students majoring in STEM fields gave speeches themselves and introduced the panelists.

Watch the livestream of the event.(Boadcast Services)

The panelists told their stories about getting the necessary experience to secure a job in their chosen field.

Auzzsa Eaton, the founder and director of The Coral Zone recommended volunteering, saying it can “open you up to what you are passionate in, but also to get experience in other fields.  Volunteering for the USGS (United States Geological Survey) gave me the ability to learn more about geological features and practice things I had only learned in class or read in books.”

Two of the three panelists were from the marine sciences, while the third was Peggy Nguyen, an engineer with the Department of Toxic Substances Control.

Nguyen talked about how STEM fields can drastically improve lives but, “You only get to ask the questions if you’re in the room. You get to define the problems that people are trying to solve.”

She gave an example that everyone in the room could probably relate to, saying she was, “glad I didn’t spend all day washing clothes because somebody invented the washing machine.”

The event also had an open Q&A, where the panelists answered student questions. Each table had a STEM professor seated, who led a table discussion to give a more personal, up-close experience with a STEM professional.

Lopez created the event with fellow Biology Professor Maura Palacios Mejia, who hosted and moderated the event.  The two have helped plan the event for every year since its inception alongside other departments across campus. This year, the event was funded and organized by MESA (Math Engineering Science Achievement) and the Equity Center.

Click to View Gallery (Photos: Robert Bledsoe)