TEEN BLOG

A Message from a Youth Perspective with current events and topics related to Youth Trends and Mental Health tips 

Unidos in STEAM: Honoring Hispanic Innovation September 2026

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the cultures and achievements of Hispanic and

Latino communities. It is also an opportunity to discuss the experiences of Latino

students entering science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics, also

known as STEAM.

During the 2019–2020 academic year, Latino students earned 55,464 bachelor’s

degrees and 7,936 master’s degrees in STEM fields. However, Latino students

represented only 13 percent of all STEM degree recipients, compared with 48 percent

for White students (Santiago et al., 2024). This difference demonstrates that Latino

participation in STEM is growing, but unequal representation remains. Earning a

degree can be challenging for students who are also learning how to navigate college

for the first time.

In 2022, 20.9 percent of Hispanic adults age 25 and older held a bachelor’s degree or

higher, compared with 27.6 percent of Black adults, 41.8 percent of non-Hispanic

White adults, and 59.3 percent of Asian adults (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023).

Many Latino college students are the first in their families to attend college. Some

may hesitate to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the

FAFSA, because of language barriers, difficulty understanding the process, or

concerns about sharing sensitive family information. Recent FAFSA technical

problems have also created barriers for families whose parents do not have Social

Security numbers (U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2024). Without relatives

who have completed the process before, first-generation students may feel

responsible for understanding financial aid on their own while explaining it to their

families.

These responsibilities can contribute to stress, uncertainty, and pressure. Being one of

the few students from your background in a classroom can also create feelings of

isolation or self-doubt. Asking for financial, academic, or mental health support does

not mean a student is incapable of succeeding.

Latino leaders demonstrate why representation matters. Mexican American

technology leader Guillermo Diaz Jr. became Cisco’s global Chief Information Officer

and supported programs that expanded opportunities for Latinos in technology.

Guatemalan computer scientist Luis von Ahn helped develop CAPTCHA and later

co-founded Duolingo, connecting computer science with cybersecurity, language,

and education. Electrical engineer Dr. Ellen Ochoa became the first Hispanic woman

to travel to space and later the first Hispanic director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

Their stories can help students recognize that Hispanic identities, languages, and

experiences are strengths in STEAM. Students can protect their mental health by

connecting with mentors, joining cultural or STEM organizations, using counseling

and tutoring services, and asking a financial aid counselor for help with the FAFSA.

Protecting Your Mental Health in STEM

Students should remember that asking for support is not a sign that they are

incapable of succeeding. Protecting your mental health might include:

● Connecting with Hispanic, Latino, or STEM student organizations

● Finding mentors who understand your academic and cultural experiences

● Using campus counseling, tutoring, and accessibility services

● Creating realistic study schedules that include rest

● Talking to trusted friends or family members about academic pressure

● Remembering that one difficult class or exam does not determine your future

Hispanic students belong in STEAM, but belonging should mean more than simply

being present. Students deserve to learn in environments where they can ask

questions, make mistakes, receive support, and protect their mental health. Their

determination can be their greatest asset, but they also deserve communities that

help them carry the journey.

References

National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2023, July 17). NASA astronaut Dr.

Ellen Ochoa. https://www.nasa.gov/people/nasa-astronaut-dr-ellen-ochoa/

San Diego Squared. (n.d.). The Hispanic inventors changing the world.

https://sd2.org/the-hispanic-inventors-changing-the-world/

Santiago, D., Labandera, E., Arroyo, C., & Nour, S. R. (2024). Finding your workforce:

Latino talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Excelencia in Education.

https://www.edexcelencia.org/_files/ugd/cef214_2168ab8e13d54f1e8330c25ed32ca4

3f.pdf

U.S. Census Bureau. (2023, February 16). Census Bureau releases new educational

attainment data.

https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2023/educational-attainment-d

ata.html

U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2024, September 24). FAFSA: Education needs

to improve communications and support around the Free Application for

Federal Student Aid (GAO-24-107407).

https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-24-107407

Written by Yaerelin Molina

YHELP! Intern Blogger