Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) welcomed more than 80 8th-grade girls from the Banning Unified School District and Hemet Unified School District to its San Jacinto Campus on Thursday, January 9, for the 31st Annual American Association of University Women (AAUW) STEM Conference.
Held in the newly dedicated STEM building, this conference was a day of inspiration and exploration, providing students with a firsthand look at the possibilities of a future in science, technology, engineering, and math. For many students, it was their first time stepping onto a college campus, making it a significant milestone in their educational journey.
The conference began with a warm welcome from Dr. Heather Abushanab, president of AAUW Redlands and physicist, in the campus theater. She encouraged the students to envision the futures they could create. “You can succeed despite adversity,” she said, setting the theme for the event.
MSJC’s Vice President of Student Services, Rebecca Teague, reminded the students of the resources available to them. “This building was developed with you in mind,” Teague said. “We are here to prepare you for your journey ahead, whether through dual enrollment or other programs that help you get ahead with your dreams. You are important to the future, and we need strong, bright, and independent women to lead us forward.”
Keynote speaker Erical Alfaro, award-winning author and education advocate, shared her story as a daughter of migrant farmworkers, who overcame significant obstacles to achieve her educational goals. “It took me six years to complete my bachelor’s degree, but every step was worth it,” Alfaro said. “There are no limits if you believe in yourself. Remember, 80% of your conversations are with yourself, so make sure to be your own best friend.”
The conference included engaging workshops led by women professionals in STEM fields, Workshops included animatronic prototyping, forensic science, physics, and financial literacy for women, with hands-on activities designed to inspire curiosity and confidence in students who may have never considered careers in these fields.
Pam Ford, a retired MSJC anthropology professor and one of the event organizers, emphasized the importance of introducing young girls to women thriving in STEM professions. “This event is a labor of love—not just through the heart, but also through the mind,” Ford said. “We want these girls to see that education can make the impossible possible.”
The conference concluded with newfound aspirations. “I didn’t know so many women did such amazing things in science,” an 8th-grader from Hemet said. “It made me feel like I could do it too.”
