Highlighting People

Dr. Enid González-Orta (she/her) is a Professor of Biological Sciences and serves in multiple roles in support of student success, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Since 2011, Dr. González-Orta has served as the Director of the Science Educational Equity (SEE) Program and as the Co-Campus Coordinator of the NSF and CSU-funded CSU-Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program (CSU-LSAMP) at Sacramento State, and in 2023 became the Project Director for the Sacramento State RISE Program, an NIH-funded program. The program triad aims to support underrepresented students in their degree attainment at Sacramento State, post-graduate preparation, and entry into the STEM workforce. In addition to these programs, Dr. González-Orta founded the Center for Science and Math Success and served as its director from 2015 to 2018. She was awarded the College of NSM Outstanding University Service Award for her efforts.

As a microbiology educator, she uses teaching strategies to increase participation and retain students in STEM courses, particularly course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs). Dr. Gonzalez-Orta is currently a co-PI with the NSF-funded SIRIUS II project. It is a project dedicated to curricular re-design where Sacramento State and the Los Rios Community College District faculty implement authentic learning experiences (ALEs), which include CUREs, in their courses. She also serves on the Advisory Committee for Tiny Earth, an antibiotic discovery-based CURE out of the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery.

DEI Resources: Student STEM Organizations that advance DEIBJ

Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) at Sac State

SACNAS is a society of scientists dedicated to advancing Hispanics/Chicanos & Native Americans in Science - from college students to professionals - to attain advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership.

Women in STEM at Sac State

An organization that aims to inspire women to achieve greatness in STEM.

Science Educational Equity (SEE)

Comprehensive academic support program for CSUS students who face social, economic, and educational barriers to careers in the health professions, science research, and science teaching.

Queer in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (q-STEM)

Driven toward creating a visible and inclusive community focused on LGBTQIA Identities within the STEM fields at Sacramento State, the purpose of qSTEM is to create a safe space where students can celebrate their identities, bring awareness on issues affecting the LGBTQIA community, and to cultivate STEM talent and leadership.

Multicultural Organization of Science Students (MOSS)

MOSS is dedicated to providing a supportive system for students of diverse ethnic heritage, who are interested in pursuing careers in the health professions, math and science research, and/or teaching.

Bhagat Puran Singh Health Initiative (BPSHI)

The CSU Sacramento chapter of BPSHI is dedicated to help the neglected communities around NorCal by providing the proper resources and knowledge to get those in need the help they deserve. In an effort to spread health awareness and social justice our members are helping improve the lives of many individuals amongst the underserved communities.

Astronomy and Physics for Gender Inclusivity (APGI)

As a club, we strive to provide resources of camaraderie, mentorship, and academic support to current students interested in physics & astronomy. Our goal is to create a space within our department that is safe for and supportive of women and other underrepresented genders interested in physics and astronomy. We are also dedicated to ensuring that the next generation of scientists sees themselves represented within physics and astronomy through community outreach. Through outreach, we hope to encourage young women and gender minorities to facilitate and pursue any interest they may have in science.

STEM Research & Teaching Conferences that Advance DEIBJ

SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference

“The largest multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity event in the country, the SACNAS conference is a gathering which serves to equip, empower, and energize participants for their academic and professional paths in STEM.” -SACNAS

Annual Biological Research Conference for Minoritized Students (ABRCMS)

“For over 20 years, the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS)…has been the go-to conference for underrepresented community college, undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. As ABRCMS has continued to grow and evolve, it has also become a space for graduate students, postdocs, faculty, program administrators and more.” -ABRCMS

Accelerating Systemic Change in STEM Higher Education (ASCN)

“The Accelerating Systemic Change Network (ASCN) will serve as an open, interdisciplinary, professional network and intellectual home for individuals and groups in a broad range of disciplines who are engaged in creating and/or studying change in higher education. The ultimate vision of ASCN is that students in every institutional setting experience teaching that aligns with what we know about how people learn, and that draws in and supports all students.” -ASCN

Other Conferences that Advance DEIBJ in Academia

American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U)

“AAC&U offers a series of annual conferences that foster reflection, discovery, innovation, and action on critical and emerging issues in undergraduate education.”-AAC&U webpage