Great Minds in STEM

GMiS Executive Director Peter Mellado and Chairman of the Board Anna Park were honored to attend the New Mexico Technology Council’s “Women in Technology - WIT Wine and Wisdom” night this week where we heard an empowering panel of inspirational women sharing the wisdom they’ve accumulated as engineers, scientists and technology professionals. Congratulations to new CEO Beverlie Frazier and the entire NMTC board and team for an amazing event, and thank you to the Hispano Chamber for being gracious hosts yet again! We looking to strengthen our partnerships in the coming months and beyond!

🌟 Sponsor Highlight: Sandia National Laboratories 🌟

Sandia National Laboratories is helping advance science, engineering, and technology while supporting the next generation of STEM professionals.

We're honored to partner with Sandia, an organization whose groundbreaking work across science and engineering demonstrates the powerful impact that STEM professionals can have on society every day. 🌎

As one of the nation's premier science and engineering laboratories, Sandia works on some of the world's most challenging problems across national security, aerospace, cybersecurity, energy, advanced manufacturing, computer science, and many other STEM disciplines.

Through internships, early career opportunities, research positions, and experienced professional roles, Sandia provides pathways for individuals looking to contribute to meaningful work with real-world impact.

🚀 Interested in exploring career opportunities with Sandia National Laboratories? Learn more about their internships, research programs, and career openings here:

🔗 https://www.sandia.gov/careers/

Thank you, Sandia National Labs, for your continued support of STEM education, innovation, and the future STEM workforce.

🌟 Sponsor Highlight: Shell USA 🌟

Shell USA is helping power innovation by investing in the future of STEM talent and workforce development.

At Great Minds in STEM, we are grateful for partners like Shell that recognize the importance of supporting students, professionals, and emerging leaders as they pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 🚀

Through its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and energy solutions, Shell continues to create opportunities for individuals seeking to make an impact across a variety of technical and professional disciplines.

Whether you're interested in engineering, technology, project management, operations, research, or business, Shell offers a wide range of career pathways for students and professionals alike.

💼 Interested in learning more about career opportunities with Shell? Explore internships, early career programs, and experienced professional roles here:

🔗 https://www.shell.us/about-us/careers.html

Thank you, Shell, for supporting STEM education, workforce development, and the next generation of innovators and leaders. 💙

🏨 Conference planning starts here.

Whether you're attending as a student, professional, recruiter, sponsor, or exhibitor, our Hotel & Travel page provides important lodging information to help you prepare for the 2026 GMiS Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

🔗 Access hotel and travel details:
https://gmisconference.org/hotel-travel/

Next on our Conference Ambassador Highlight series, Great Minds in STEM is proud to highlight Omar Navar, a Computer Information Systems student with a Cybersecurity option at California State University, Los Angeles. 🔐💻

Driven by a lifelong passion for technology, Omar has focused his academic and professional journey on cybersecurity, digital forensics, and blue team operations. This summer, he will continue building his experience as a Cybersecurity Intern at Raytheon. 🚀

Some of Omar's accomplishments include:
🎓 2025 GMiS STEM Scholar
🛡️ Incoming Cybersecurity Intern at Raytheon
🤝 Active member and mentor in the Mission X Cybersecurity Club
🏆 Participant in cybersecurity competitions and Capture-the-Flag (CTF) challenges

When he's not studying cybersecurity, Omar enjoys working on his homelab, helping fellow students prepare for technical challenges, spending time with family and friends, exploring hiking trails, and catching the latest movies.

Looking ahead, Omar hopes to build a career in the aerospace or government sector, specializing in cybersecurity compliance and digital forensics while pursuing a graduate degree in cybersecurity or information systems.

Thank you, Omar, for representing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals and STEM leaders! 🌟

📢 Attention STEM Professionals!

Join us for the GMIS Conference Information Session on Thursday, June 4, at 1:00 PM PST.

Learn about upcoming conference activities and discover how you can volunteer your time and expertise to support students as they develop fundamental skills through competitions, mentorship opportunities, and networking events.

Your experience can make a meaningful impact on the next generation of STEM leaders. We hope to see you there!

Join: https://greatmindsinstem.zoom.us/meeting/register/PSymxdbERQ2xRwpbyKya1g #/registration

📣Graduate Schools – Don’t Miss the Opportunity to Connect with Top STEM Students!

Great Minds in STEM is heading to Albuquerque for the 38th GMiS Conference, September 17–19, 2026.

We will bring together college students who are actively seeking graduate school pathways in STEM.

This is your opportunity to showcase your graduate programs and connect directly with the next generation of STEM leaders.

📩 Contact us to learn more or get involved!
Email Enrique Gonzalez at [email protected]

🚨 Attention GMiS Professionals — Big News! 🚨

We’re excited to announce the launch of a brand-new College Bowl at this year’s GMiS Conference, a high-energy competition designed to challenge, inspire, and spotlight the brightest emerging STEM talent.

Get ready for fast-paced questions, teamwork, and an unforgettable experience that brings students together from across the country.

📅 Join us for our Info Session on June 4
This is your chance to learn more about the College Bowl, how to volunteer, and what to expect at the 2026 GMiS Conference.

Don’t miss the opportunity to volunteer, connect, and be part of something new and exciting in STEM!

Link to info session: https://greatmindsinstem.zoom.us/meeting/register/PSymxdbERQ2xRwpbyKya1g

🌟 Ambassador Spotlight: Gael Hernandez 🌟

Great Minds in STEM is excited to continue our GMiS Conference Ambassador spotlight series with Gael Hernandez, a senior in Aerospace and Aeronautical Studies at The University of Texas at El Paso. 🚀

Gael’s passion for engineering started with curiosity — figuring out how things work and how to push them even further. Today, that passion has led him to leadership, innovation, and hands-on industry experience.

✈️ Vice President of UTEP’s AIAA student chapter
🏆Helped lead the DBF team to 48th in the world at the Design/Build/Fly competition
💼Manufacturing Engineering Intern at Raytheon

Outside of engineering, Gael enjoys working on JDM cars, playing guitar and bass, DJing, and spending time with his cat, Eepy. 🐱

As a GMiS Ambassador, Gael hopes to inspire students from similar backgrounds to see themselves at the forefront of the aerospace industry and beyond.

His message: “You don’t have to fit into a single box to be a great engineer. Embrace everything you're passionate about, put in the late-night work, and the results will speak for themselves. After all, ‘fortune favors the bold.’”