The UNM Global Education Office (GEO) is seeking applications from undergraduate women in the STEM and architecture fields for The Innovation Academy for Women of the Americas, “The Academy,”—a dynamic study abroad program for undergraduate women in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and architecture (STEM+A) fields, sponsored by the 100,000 Strong in the Americas initiative.

The Academy will take place June 2-29 at UADY in Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico and GEO has scholarships available for UNM participants.

“The Academy is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge in the STEM+A fields, prepare for graduate research, and network with other women,” said Mariah Vigil, UNM student and participant from The Academy 2017 hosted by Universidad La Salle México in Mexico City. “Getting to travel and immerse yourself in another country and empower each other is something you don’t experience in the classroom. The opportunity to be a part of The Academy is something you don’t want to miss.”

Requirements for participation include:

  • Undergraduate women in their junior or senior year in a degree program focused in STEM or architecture.
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
  • Intermediate ability to speak Spanish. The program is offered in English, but some command of the Spanish language is helpful.

More information is available at The Academy website.

UNM students interested in applying and seeking more information about scholarships for UNM students should contact Danielle Gilliam, strategic projects officer, at dgilliam@unm.edu or 505-277-6051 by Feb. 28.

The deadline to finalize applications to The Academy is March 9.

During the 30-day program participants can expect to:

  • Develop globally relevant experience through working on a challenging real-life, hands-on project focused on sustainable environments. Participants will collaborate in interdisciplinary and cross-cultural teams.
  • Receive coaching/mentoring from academics, practitioners, and experts who will encourage the development of problem-solving and creative thinking skills. Participants will enrich academic competencies in research methodologies, project management, and cross-discipline communication and collaboration. These skills are designed to accelerate preparation for graduate studies and professional research.
  • Develop leadership skills needed for personal, academic, and professional success with an emphasis in stimulating innovation, entrepreneurship, and increased global social responsibility awareness. Participants will become part of a network of women in the STEM+A fields to facilitate on-going mentorship, support, and collaboration beyond the duration of the summer program.
  • Experience first-hand cultural exchanges, develop global points-of-view, and broaden knowledge in their fields.
  • Receive a certificate of completion, endorsed by The Academy and its higher education partners

“It's important to have organizations like The Academy to give opportunity to young women in research,” said Jessica Rodriguez Cuna, UNM student and participant of The Academy 2017. “This organization helps in filling in some of the educational gaps many women face within STEM fields.”

Founded by The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque in 2016, The Academy is a consortium of talented and motivated undergraduate women, faculty, professionals, organizations, and institutions linked by a common purpose: to encourage and inspire more women in the Americas to advance to higher levels of education and influence in the science, technology, engineering, math, and architecture (STEM+A) fields. The underlying concept is that one woman’s success can inspire and lift a family or community in the Americas.

For more information contact Danielle Gilliam, UNM Global Education Office at dgilliam@unm.edu or 505-277-6051.