by Melissa Hernandez | Oct 20, 2020 | News & Updates
A champion for climate change and a hero to his homeland, Mario Molina passed away on Oct. 7 at the age of 77. Molina is the only Mexican scientist to win a Nobel Prize for his research on the thinning of the ozone layer as a result of chlorofluorocarbons. His work, alongside Frank Sherwood Rowland of the United States and Paul Crutzen of the Netherlands, led to the drafting of the first international treaty phasing out the use of the dangerous chemicals.
Molina’s later work involved advocating for global sustainable development and confronting air pollution in major cities. He fought to make the world a better place and became a role model for so many scientists, as well as the Mexican people as a whole.
SER’s vision is to enable the Latino community and other under-resourced populations to fully participate in the socio-economic mainstream, achieving equal access and parity in all aspects of American society. We are grateful for people like Molina who have paved the way for so many to come after him. I am confident that SER will continue to fight for the Latino community to ensure more individuals have the same opportunities for success as Molina. Thank you for the legacy you left behind and for the example we can follow into the future.
Ignacio Salazar
President & CEO
SER National
by Melissa Hernandez | Sep 16, 2020 | News & Updates
Today, September 15, begins a month-long celebration and acknowledgement of Hispanic Heritage. For the next month, join SER National as we celebrate a broader view of history that includes the influence and contributions Hispanics have bestowed upon the United States. Hispanics have influenced our history, culture and society. We applaud each and every one of the accomplishments of our Hispanic leaders and innovators.
We must recognize Hispanic history, both the well-known stories and the stories that remain untold. SER’s vision is to enable the Hispanic community and other underserved populations, to fully participate in the socio-economic mainstream, achieving equal access and parity in all aspects of American society.
People are our nation’s most valuable asset. Throughout National Hispanic Heritage month, we will do our best to elevate Hispanic voices and shine a light on the contributions the Hispanic community has provided the United States throughout our past and well into the future.
“We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community – and this nation.” César Chávez
Ignacio Salazar
President and CEO
SER Jobs for Progress National, Inc.
by Melissa Hernandez | Sep 4, 2020 | News & Updates
SER National launched its live SER Webinar Series!
Hundreds of students, teachers, Hispanic leaders and more have benefitted from the education, employment and empowerment experts and role models that SER features.
Employment Training: 1st and 3rd Monday at 2:00 pm CT
STEM Talk: 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 2:00 pm CT
Education Session: 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 2:00 pm CT
SER MUJER Entrepreneurship Session*: 2nd and 4th Thursday at 2:00 pm CT
All upcoming SER webinars are on our events page.
Click Here to see our Event Page
SER Webinar:
- Featured speakers from NASA, SBA, Rockwell Automation, Boeing, Ford, and many other corporations and government agencies.
- Webinar attendance with over 500 participants as of August 2020. The amount of participants continues to increase every week.
- Viewers from ages six to over 55.
- Viewers have logged in from seven countries and 27 states, ranging from Mexico to Puerto Rico and Washington D.C.
*A special thanks to our SER MUJER webinar series sponsor, the Ford Fund.
If you are interested in sponsoring a webinar series or individual episode, contact us at development@ser-national.org
by Melissa Hernandez | Aug 4, 2020 | News & Updates
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) is pleased to offer a new opportunity to staff at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). NASA is seeking one to two mid-career staff whose skills support NASA’s Strategy for STEM Engagement to:
- Create unique opportunities for students and the public to contribute to NASA’s work in exploration and discovery.
- Build a diverse future STEM workforce by engaging students in authentic learning experiences with NASA people, content and facilities.
- Strengthen public understanding by enabling powerful connections to NASA’s mission and work.
NASA’s STEM Engagement community works closely collaboration with NASA’s STEM workforce to provide exceptional experiences for students, and with NASA’s public engagement workforce to leverage opportunities for reaching students. NASA is committed to finding innovative ways to deliver content and engage students in STEM learning.
NASA will use the Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility Program (IPA) to facilitate the appointment of fellows to NASA. The IPA provides for the temporary assignment of personnel between the federal government and state and local governments, colleges and universities, Indian tribal governments, federally funded research and development centers, and other eligible organizations.
To be considered for this opportunity, candidates must meet the following general requirements:
- U.S. or naturalized citizen.
- Full-time STEM/education faculty or administrative/managerial staff (i.e., student activities director, program/project manager, etc.) at a two- or four-year accredited U.S. (MSI designated) institution.
- Letter of support from an authorizing official representative of the institution.
The selected IPAs will serve with the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) team during the pilot phase of this new activity. Assigned activities may include:
- Developing strategies to infuse diversity and inclusion within OSTEM and NASA’s mission directorates.
- Establishing priorities to enhance the participation of MSIs’ partnerships and collaborations, leading to increased involvement in NASA programs.
- Managing significant elements or phases of an assigned research partnership with one or multiple NASA mission directorates under the auspices of the MUREP program manager.
- Establishing a scalable and systemic OSTEM activity to broaden participation of underserved/underrepresented communities and institutions.
These activities may be tailored to the background and expertise of the candidate(s). Fellows may be placed at NASA Headquarters and/or centers agencywide. NASA’s telework policy may also be an option for this opportunity.
Fellows selected for the pilot initiative will begin a two-year temporary appointment in January 2021.
Faculty and/or staff who meet the general requirements, particularly members of underrepresented or underserved groups and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to consider this opportunity.
If you are interested, please register by 5:00 pm EDT on Aug. 17, 2020. Click the following link or copy and paste it on the address line of a web browser: https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?solId={7E4DFD50-15F6-C3FF-5232-DDFF66633943}&path=&method=init.
Should you wish to nominate suitable candidates, please send the name(s) and email address(es) to: NASA.MSI.Fellowship.Rotation@nasaprs.com by July 31, 2020. You may also use this email address, if you have questions.
National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationPage Last Updated: July 22, 2020Page Editor: Sandra MayNASA Official: Brian Dunbar
by Melissa Hernandez | Jul 22, 2020 | News & Updates
Spring 2021 White House Internship Program
The Spring 2021 White House Internship Program application is now open.
The application portal will remain open until 11:59 PM EDT on Friday, August 28, 2020. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
The Spring 2021 White House Internship Program term runs from Wednesday, January 27 to Friday, April 16, 2021. Application decisions will be announced during the week of November 9. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age by the internship program start date and must be able to commit to the full internship term to be eligible. Additionally, applicants must be United States citizens and meet at least one of the following criteria to apply:
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Are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at a college, community college, or university (2-to-4 year institution) and have completed two semesters prior to the internship start date.
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Have graduated from an undergraduate or graduate degree program at a college, community college, or university (2-to-4 year institution) no more than 2 years before the internship program start date.
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Are a veteran of the United States Armed Forces who possesses a high school diploma or its equivalent and has served on active duty—for any length of time—in the 2 years preceding the internship program start date.
The White House Internship Program is highly competitive. Applicants are selected based on their demonstrated commitment to public service, leadership in the community, and commitment to the mission of the Trump Administration. Questions about the White House Internship Program application can be directed to intern_application@who.eop.gov. More information, including details about placements in the White House Internship Program and a list of frequently asked questions, can be found on the White House website:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/participate/internships.
by Melissa Hernandez | Jun 18, 2020 | News & Updates
SER National Statement on Supreme Court DACA Ruling
Our nation started out this week with something different for 2020 – good news.
A cumulative sigh of relief can be heard from 700,000 young immigrants given a reprieve by the Supreme Court today. SER National celebrates the Supreme Court’s decision to block the Trump administration from immediately proceeding with its plan to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. We recognize that this ruling provides only a temporary protection, but every step forward provides hope.
DACA protects hundreds of thousands of Dreamers, young people brought to the United States as children, by shielding them from deportation and allowing them to work. The DACA program does not currently provide a pathway to citizenship.
DACA-eligible immigrants are working and contributing their time, talent and treasure to the U.S. Let’s also remember they are paying approximately $2 billion each year in state and local taxes.
SER’s vision is “to enable the Hispanic community and other underserved populations, to fully participate in the socio-economic mainstream, achieving equal access and parity in all aspects of American society.” We see each person as a valuable creation with endless capabilities. Because they are.
SER has served Dreamers throughout the past decade, especially through student education programs. We’ve seen them learn, grow and contribute to America, despite the hateful actions and words of many of our citizens. We recognize and greatly appreciate the value they bring to the U.S. along with an undeniable sense of patriotism for this great nation. Many even join the U.S. military, willing to risk their lives for a country that devalues them as individuals and contributors to society.
Please join SER in keeping the American dream alive for young immigrants by encouraging instead of blocking the contributions they already offer our society. May we as a nation operate with humanity at the forefront.
Ignacio Salazar
President and CEO
SER Job for Progress National, Inc.
