Erika Tatiana Camacho

Erika Tatiana Camacho Speaking Topics

• Meta-analysis Perspectives on Interdisciplinary and Applied Learning, Crossing Boundaries: Transforming STEM Education

  Preparing all students to address the social, environmental, health, and geopolitical issues of their time requires multifaceted understandings in STEM fields and their relationships with the humanities.  One cannot address public health or climate change without deep knowledge in science, economics, social justice, geography, history, and current political structures.  And addressing these issues also requires a STEM literate public able to make wise personal, professional, and civic-minded decisions with agency for the common good.  Dr. Camacho explores the ways in which interdisciplinary and applied learning are helping educators and students make the connections necessary to address complex problems, with particular emphasis on advancing STEM learning for underrepresented students. 

• Intentional and Strategic Mentoring

  Good mentoring is not an organic process that just happens and evolves on its own without any plan or objectives. Good mentoring is intentional, strategic, and non-static. Becoming a good mentor requires being fully conscious of who we are and who are the individuals we are mentoring/serving, including understanding their upbringing, challenges, goals, and potential. It also requires constant training and practice. Through mentoring we will transform our mentees as much as they will transform us. Thus, we have to be intentional in what we do in order to make this transformation positive and make the process of mentoring sustainable and optimal for all parties involved. In this interactive presentation, Dr. Camacho shares some ways in which you can achieve this. She addresses some of the challenges and key elements of being a good mentor. Dr. Camacho shares her experiences and insights on successful mentoring and gains at all levels from student to postdoc to faculty or professional. She gives some insight into how we can create a stronger research and teaching agenda through mentoring, and enhance the students’ learning experience and our ability to transform our environment

• It Takes a Village to Create a Woman of Color in STEM

  Increasing the number of women of color in the mathematical sciences is a joint effort that requires input from multiple vantage points. There have been a number of efforts over the years to encourage minority women to enter STEM careers. Nevertheless, the number of minority women still remains quite small. Those of us occupying the race?gender intersection face unique circumstances and challenges as students and faculty/professionals. In this presentation Dr. Camacho will discuss what kind of "village" raised her up as a mathematician and STEM professional. She will share with you her experiences including the pitfalls she had to overcome to thrive in STEM and in the professoriate. This presentation will provide her personal perspective on the following topics: What are the necessary conditions for motivating a young woman of color to pursue a career in mathematics? What are the ingredients of a new model of nurturance and growth? In particular, who are the people and partnerships needed to foster careers in these fields that are personally fulfilling and professionally significant?

• Stranger in a Strange Land: How I Found My Place in Academia

  Having grown up in East Los Angeles, California, Dr. Erika Camacho understands many of the struggles that students and women of color must endure in striving to attain their academic and professional goals. Dr. Camacho will be sharing her life experiences and the challenges she had to overcome to help her achieve her personal and professional goals. She will share stories about the key individuals and decisions that contributed to her success and transformation, including highlights of her research and the adversities she faced. Dr. Camacho will also share her passion for social activism and continual drive to transform the world of academia and strengthen our communities. Her life story is full of insights and lessons of empowerment for all. 

• Reflections and insights on the joys and challenges of the professoriate

  Studies indicate that faculty of color often feel marginalized and unappreciated at majority institutions. They may find that their values and interests conflict with the norms of these institutions. Yet most minority faculty members are satisfied with their choice of an academic career and have developed the strategies necessary to survive and thrive. Dr. Camacho reflects on her experiences and share insights on the joys as well as the continuing challenges of life in the professoriate.