The University of New Mexico (UNM) hosts the inaugural Innovation Academy for Women of the Americas (The Academy), a first-of-its-kind international program designed to accelerate the research and leadership skills of undergraduate women in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and architecture (STEM+A) fields across the Americas. By developing these core skills, the program aims to encourage more women to pursue higher levels of education and influence in their disciplines.

The opening ceremony for this year’s Academy is free and open to the public and is scheduled for Tuesday, June 7 in the UNM School of Architecture & Planning, Auditorium 101. There is a reception from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. followed by a ceremony from 5:30  to 7 p.m. Sandia National Laboratories Director, Jill Hruby, will be the keynote speaker for the event. The first woman to lead a national security laboratory, Hruby plans to speak about her experience working in the technology field and about the increasingly significant role of women in technology. Click here to RSVP for the opening ceremony. 

“Women in increasing numbers are being encouraged to pursue STEM+A careers across the world. Our program is designed to support these women in the Americas as they encounter the unique challenges – personal and professional – of maneuvering environments where there are still relatively low numbers of female representation,” said Nicole Tami, executive director for global initiatives at UNM.

Fifteen international participants from Mexico will join a cohort of UNM students for the 30-day program. A special emphasis of the program is to cultivate the talent of indigenous women and to acknowledge the contributions of indigenous people in the advancement of science and technology in the history of the Americas.

Founded by the UNM Global Education Office, the concept has received international recognition through the 100,000 Strong in the Americas Initiative, an agreement between the heads-of-state in the countries of the Americas to collaborate on a variety of long-term initiatives in a variety of sectors, including education.

“UNM is well positioned to support this initiative as a comprehensive research institution. Our STEM+A programs are well-established and enthusiastic to engage globally,” said Tami. “These connections are critical to building the relationships and collaborations needed to thrive in an increasingly more international higher education environment.”

The Academy will continue each summer through the collaboration of international partner institutions. Universidad La Salle in Mexico City, Mexico is scheduled to host The Academy in the summer of 2017 and Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán in Merida, Mexico will host the following summer. People can follow the initiative with the hashtag: #Academy4Women and also #academiaparamujeres and on Facebook.

Additional events free and open to the public include:

Open Dialogue: Motherhood, Family Expectations, and Challenges as a STEM+A Professional
Tuesday, June 14 at 5:30 p.m.

How to Succeed in a Man’s World
Presented by Women in Research, Untied States Air Force
Tuesday, June 21 at 3 p.m.

Yoga Under the Stars
Presented by Marisol Brito of Bhava Yoga Downtown
Thursday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Open Dialogue: Making a Difference in the Americas
Special Guest: Taylor Nelson Senior Communications Officer for Partners of the Americas
Wednesday, June 29 at 5:30 p.m.

Additional information about these events and access to RSVP for them is available via signing-up for The Academy news feed email list by Clicking Here.