HENAAC Promoting Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics

HENAAC Inc.

HENAAC is the gateway for Hispanics in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Established in 1989, HENAAC is a non-profit organization that focuses on STEM educational awareness programs for students from kindergarten to career. HENAAC provides resources for recognition and recruitment of Hispanics in STEM on a national level, connecting multi-areas of engineering and science arenas to the general population.

If you are an educator looking to supplement your lesson plans with Hispanic role models in STEM; an organization wanting to showcase your Hispanic STEM talent; a college student looking for scholarships; or a recruiter looking to hire the next generation of engineers and scientists, HENAAC is the organization for you. We invite you to visit the website and look at the stellar HENAAC programs.

New Logo: Some may notice a different HENAAC Organization logo. The 19th Annual HENAAC Conference logo, created by MellCom, Inc., has now become the new HENAAC Corporate logo. The four pillars represent Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) the very foundation of HENAAC and all our programs. The former HENAAC Oval logo served the organization well the first 19 years but HENAAC believes the new logo will strengthen our position to lead the nation with STEM programs, Hispanic role models and a talented technical workforce.

HENAAC Career Conference & Awards Show

The first HENAAC conference was held in 1989 as a means of identifying, honoring, and documenting the contributions of outstanding Hispanic American science, engineering, technology and math professionals. Over the past 19 years, the conference has evolved to encompass many additional activities including honoring students; providing opportunities for student leadership development; conducting a career fair where both students and professionals can look for employment and a forum where top leaders of representing corporations, government agencies, academic institutions, the military, and the business community-at-large can discuss and implement change for the betterment of our country and the Hispanic community's involvement in STEM.

Viva Technology

Viva Technology is the official K-12 education program for HENAAC. It is designed to engage inner-city and rural K-12 students, teachers and parents in the applications of technology in order to stimulate interest and academic achievement in math, science and engineering. This innovative program has many options and features team challenges, direct interaction with college engineering and science students and powerful eye opening conversations with world class engineers and scientists. Viva Technology outlines a pathway for students, and to help parents and teachers to assist their students to select and succeed in college and university degree programs, to be prepared to access the opportunities of the 21st century professional technical workforce, bridge the digital divide and increase technological literacy.

HENAAC College Bowl

The HENAAC College Bowl is a two-day, high energy competition in which teams of students, coached and judged by industry and government representatives, focus on showcasing their talents, initiative, teamwork and leadership skills. Each round of competition addresses carefully selected topics relevant to career success. In the end, Students on the top three teams receive scholarships and prizes. College Bowl IX will take place in 2008.

Hall of Fame

The HENAAC Hall of Fame (HHF) was established in 1998 to recognize the world class achievements among HENAAC's winners. To be inducted into the HHF is HENAAC's highest honor bestowed on any individual. The 27 members of the HHF have achieved a level of excellence that opens doors to advances in science, engineering and technology, and opens minds about the contributions of Hispanics in these fields. The members are each represented in an original graphite portrait by artist Albin Zatarain and receive the gold HHF medal upon induction.

HENAAC Scholars Program

HENAAC's Scholars Program was established in the year 2000 with the goal of contributing to the Hispanic community by awarding scholarships and grants to student leaders who affect the Hispanic community in STEM through financial assistance and recognition of their work. In its seven year history the program has awarded more than $919,000 in educational grants to over 470 students pursuing careers in Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM), and over $810,000 in travel grants to thousands of STEM students.

HENAAC Role Model of the Week

From the government laboratory to the factory floor, the corporate board room to our Navy's nuclear submarines, Hispanics are advancing the technological capacity of their corporations, government agencies and military units everyday. The HENAAC Role Model of the Week is a weekly feature on www.henaac.org that highlights these world class Hispanic engineers, scientists, and technology professionals from across the employment spectrum. Role Models are selected from the hundreds of nominees submitted for the annual HENAAC awards.

HENAAC Scholar of the Week

HENAAC realizes that the key to cultivating tomorrows' technology leaders is to recognize and support the leadership of today's outstanding science, technology, engineering and math students. In 1997 HENAAC began awarding scholarships to college students with the goal of contributing to the Hispanic community by producing role models for future generations. The HENAAC Scholar of the Week features current recipients so they too can help inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.

TECHNiCA Magazine

This national publication is the official magazine of HENAAC. It's reaches Hispanic engineering and science college students, technical professionals, more than 200 academic institutions as well as major corporations and government agencies. It is published 4 times a year.

Publications & Research

HENAAC published reports such as The Fork in the Road and the 2006 and 2007 HENAAC Executive Leaders' Roundtable White Papers on the Complexity of Alignment. In addition, HENAAC also conducts research and an engineering enrollment report on Hispanics in ABET accredited universities that is made available to HENAAC's Executive Advisory Council Members.

Summer Camps

In 2007, IBM, SHPE and HENAAC collaborated to put on 3 summer camps for entering high school sophomores. The camps took place in Tucson, AZ, Boulder, CO and Los Angeles, CA.