2025 S-STEM National Conference

S-STEM Scholars at the National Conference - San Diego (Oct 2-4, 2025)

In October 2025, S-STEM scholars from Missouri State University attended the 2025 S-STEM Scholars Meeting in San Diego, California. Hosted by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), this national conference brought together S-STEM Scholars, Principal Investigators (PIs), Co-PIs, mentors, employers, and graduate program representatives from across the United States.

The annual meeting serves as a hub for community-building within the S-STEM network, offering scholars opportunities to engage in professional development, explore diverse STEM career pathways, strengthen communication and leadership skills, and present their research through poster and oral sessions. Across three days, scholars participated in plenary sessions, interactive workshops, career and education fairs, and networking events, while also connecting with peers who share similar academic journeys and aspirations.

Conference Highlights

  • Opening and closing plenary sessions featuring leaders from academia, industry, and nonprofit organizations
  • Concurrent workshops on résumé building, networking, mentorship, ethics, communication, resilience, and financial literacy
  • Poster sessions showcasing student research across a wide range of STEM disciplines
  • Career & Education Fairs connecting scholars with employers, graduate programs, and research opportunities
  • Networking events designed to help scholars build lasting professional relationships

Gallery

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Testimonials

Attending the S-STEM Conference in San Diego was an incredible opportunity to connect with other STEM students and professionals from across the country. I attended several workshops that gave me valuable skills and insights. This includes a financial literacy session led by Dr. Shanah K. Grant, where I learned about saving, investing, and building long-term financial stability. Then, a study skills workshop with Dr. Taffeta Elliot, who shared strategies for exam preparation. I was able to explore student research posters, and it was inspiring to see such a wide range of projects to talk to other students about. I even met a few students who are also interested in forensic science, which made the experience even more meaningful.
Overall, the conference helped me gain new perspectives and motivated me to keep building my skills and experiences in STEM.  

-- Autumn Reid

Main Take-Aways from Scholars

The 2025 S-STEM Scholars Meeting was a weekend of learning, reflection, and growth. Scholars engaged with peers and professionals from across the country, gaining insight into the wide range of opportunities available within STEM fields. Through hands-on workshops, students developed practical skills in networking, communication, mentorship building, and self-assessment, while also addressing important topics such as imposter syndrome, ethics, and resilience.

The poster sessions provided a valuable platform for scholars to share their research and learn from others’ projects, reinforcing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. Career and education fairs allowed students to explore graduate programs, internships, and employment pathways, helping them better understand the next steps in their academic and professional journeys.

Overall, the conference strengthened scholars’ sense of belonging within the STEM community and reaffirmed their confidence in pursuing meaningful, impactful careers aligned with both their skills and values.