STEM for All Starts Now: Rise Up, Lean In, and Help GMiS Shape What Comes Next

Since our founding in 1989 as HENAAC, our organization has remained steadfast in one central mission: bringing engineers, scientists, and technology professionals face-to-face with students eager to learn, connect, and envision their own futures in STEM. In 2009, our founders changed our name to Great Minds in STEM not out of convenience or external pressure, but from a profound conviction—that this mission belongs to every community, and that expanding opportunities in STEM is a national imperative.

Now, nearly four decades after our first gathering, that vision—captured in the simple but powerful call of “STEM for All”— has never been more vital, nor more urgent.  The 2026 Conference, scheduled for September 17-19 in beautiful Albuquerque, New Mexico, will see some exciting innovations designed to enhance the student experience and reimagine our programming and event format to address sweeping national changes.

First, we are sharpening our focus on the student experience. Today’s students must navigate both unprecedented global shifts and the enduring challenges of pursuing a STEM education. To support them, we are revitalizing our STEM Talks to spotlight critical industries and in-demand skills, increasing opportunities for small-group networking and mentorship, and launching a series of sponsored pre-conference virtual development sessions throughout the spring and summer. We’re also expanding our line-up of dynamic team and individual competitions, which include the Research Poster Competition, now in its 12^th year; the CAHSI Hackathon; the return of the GMiS College Bowl; and the all-new AI Bot Challenge.

Second, we are deepening our collaborative model. Building on our longstanding partnership with the Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (CAHSI), which has co-located its annual summit with the GMiS Conference for nearly a decade, we are inviting additional national organizations to co-locate their events. Two new partners are already confirmed and will be announced soon—further expanding our collective reach and impact. We’re also expanding our outreach to graduate schools, who themselves are facing challenging times with federal immigration and visa policy changes and restrictions to research funding.  Advanced degrees have long been critical to many STEM career pathways, and in light of the disruptions students are navigating, it is essential that they are fully informed about both the immediate and long-term opportunities that graduate programs can provide.

Third, we are making the difficult but strategic decision to pause our professional awards program, including the HENAAC Awards, for the next two years. While these honors have been a cornerstone of our conference since its inception, current constraints—particularly the loss of institutional support for nominations—make it necessary to step back. This decision allows us to avoid barriers to participation while reallocating resources toward enhancing the student experience and strengthening direct engagement with mentors and industry leaders.

Finally, we are embracing the unique strengths of our host region. Working closely with partners across New Mexico—including long-standing sponsors and the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce—we are committed to delivering a conference experience that reflects the innovation, culture, and hospitality of this dynamic community.

On behalf of our entire team, and our Board, I’m honored to invite you to Join us in Albuquerque, New Mexico, September 17–19.  Now, more than ever, we need our partners, champions, and leaders to stand with us and be part of shaping what comes next. Together, we can ensure that opportunity in STEM is not diminished—but expanded to more students. Together, we can make “STEM for All” a reality.