History, Vision, Values
In 2017, Paul Faronbi co-founded an Local LSAMP alumni group to stay connected, give back to students, and facilitate career success. Today, the IINSPIRE-LSAMP Alumni Committee consists of alumni from across Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska universities and colleges.
At the end of 2019, Paul reached out to the Louis Stokes Midwest Regional Center of Excellence about whether there was potential for alumni group partnerships. It was from there that the idea to connect all alumni was developed. In early 2020, he joined forces with Nathalie Fuentes, Ph.D. and Lizeth Tamayo, Ph.D. to create the then titled LSAMP Alumni group. It was officially launched in October 2020 and expanded to become the National Association of LSAMP Alumni or NALA in 2021.
In 2022, NALA saw that their reach and impact was limited by being exclusive to LSAMP. The Executive Board made the decision to open the organization to all who were passionate about helping underrepresented peoples in STEM. The team quickly pulled together to create NALA(STEM), the National Alliance Leading the Acceleration of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Our organization has and will always support NSF LSAMP alliances and institutions, but we’ve expanded our membership to anyone who resonates with our mission: to unite, support, and build community among all historically excluded peoples in STEM.
We hope that you will share in our vision to make STEM inclusive for all and help us continue to promote equity.
Our Vision
To ensure that historically marginalized peoples in STEM are professionally prepared to assume leadership roles and advance their careers. We will promote inclusivity in industry, academia, and other STEM-oriented careers to create a brighter future for the next generation of alumni.
Our Values
Mentorship: We all need someone to help us through life
Research: Academia, Government, Industry and more, we’re passionate about learning
Service: Giving back to our alliances
Development: Investing in our own personal growth and development
Connection: Leveraging our networks to foster a community with respect for all people
Shared Value: Helping others while showing that our time is valued
NALA(STEM) now consists of over 270 members across the United States and Puerto Rico. Members range from current graduate students, professors, industry professionals, and so much more!
SEE MAP OF WHERE OUR MEMBERS ARE CURRENTLY!
