Frances Colón, Ph.D., a New Voices Fellow of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, spoke recently at the first Hispanic/Latinx Voices in Academia Conference. Dr. Colón, who leads a firm that provides science, environment and technology policy advice to higher education institutions and state and national-level policy-makers, has served as deputy science and technology advisor to the U.S. Secretary of State.
Colón earned her Ph.D. in Neuroscience in 2004 from Brandeis University and her Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1997 from the University of Puerto Rico. She is the founder of Cenadores Puerto Rico, a non-profit platform that facilitates collaboration between the Puerto Rican diaspora and civil society on the Island. In 2016, Dr. Colón was named one of the 20 most influential Latinos in technology by CNET and was a 2015-2016 Google Science Fair judge.
The Hispanic/Latinx Voices in Academia Conference event highlighted academic achievements and contributions. Conference participants examined the work of Hispanic and Latinx researchers and scholars while celebrating their successes and talents.
Derek Wilmott, chair of Clemson University’s Commission on Latino Affairs, said South Carolina has experienced the fastest Hispanic population growth among the Southeastern states, the “third fastest growth in the nation,” he said, adding that the conference serves as a platform for stronger institutional partnerships between Clemson and other universities across the Southeast.
“We are intentional about the work we do at Clemson,” said Julio Hernandez, senior associate director of Hispanic Outreach, Division of Inclusion and Equity. “This conference is another example of how we communicate teaching, learning and sharing at a diverse, culturally relevant institute of higher learning.”
The conference included research and poster presentations and 10-minute TED-style talks called Forward Insights and featured speakers:
The Hispanic/Latinx Voices in Academia Conference ended with Noche de Gala, an evening of live entertainment, authentic food and award presentations to individuals who help make Clemson’s campus a welcoming environment for Hispanic and Latinx students, faculty and staff.
The conference was sponsored by the Commission on Latino Affairs and supported by the Division of Inclusion and Equity.
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