For Women’s History Month, we’re excited to spotlight a Latinos in Technology Scholar (LITSI), Maritza Campos. Maritza began her academic journey at De Anza College, earning an associate degree in biology, before transferring to UCLA, where she obtained a B.S. in biochemistry with a minor in Chicano/a studies.
Currently, she works with the American Association of University Women (AAUW), focusing on scholarships, public policy, and programming to support young girls and women in higher education. Maritza is also preparing to apply to medical school, aiming for a dual-degree program with a master’s in public health or public policy. Even after graduation, Maritza remains an active HFSV volunteer, continuing to uplift and support her community.
Read about her experience in LITSI as a Latina in STEM below!
What has your experience been as a Latina in STEM?
My experience as a Latina in STEM has been really interesting. I am a first-generation student, too, so I think it definitely ties into my identity. I had to figure out a lot on my own. I’m also the eldest daughter, so I really had to set that path, especially for my younger sister.
I began college during the pandemic, which made it a lot harder to access resources. To me, being a Latina in STEM, although it comes with difficulties, shows the power and handwork that we have inherited from our parents. I’ve also noticed how important my perspective is in my classes. Sometimes I have a different way of thinking about things or a different perspective that connects to my culture. So it’s been very interesting to be able to provide that view, not only for my community but also for others, so they can understand the diversity– that science ties back to so many different aspects of life. It’s important to have classrooms with students who have varied life experiences and contribute to diversity.
How has LITSI supported your educational and professional journey?
LITSI has been a huge financial support. I wouldn’t have been able to transfer otherwise and it was the main reason I went to community college. After high school, I was enrolled at UC Santa Cruz, but before classes even started, I had to defer. I took a year of community college and ultimately withdrew from UCSC.
LITSI gave me a lot of empowerment and confidence that I could continue my education. It also allowed me to volunteer within my community, which I wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise, because I would have had to work while attending a four-year university, which would have been very difficult. While at community college, I worked full-time as a pharmacy technician. LITSI really supported my journey, and I was able to advocate for pharmacy careers to high schoolers at a panel.
Now that I’ve graduated, I’ve been able to volunteer with LITSI. It’s really fun getting kids excited about STEM and to help them learn about different career fields. I would say this program has been life-changing for me and taught me how important mentorship is to continue building a brighter future.
Have you met any women through LITSI who have shaped or impacted your academic journey?
Mirella was someone who really impacted my life through LITSI. She worked with me on the pharmacy panel I did about careers in STEM. There was also a professional development event that HFSV hosted for LITSI scholars, and she was there too. She was always so impactful and inspiring, constantly doing things to help us move forward in our careers.
I just saw her at the PayPal event, and it was so great to catch up because I didn’t expect to see her there! I’m really empowered by how everyone in LITSI is so tight-knit and welcoming. Since I had already graduated, sometimes I get shy attending these events, but now that I have more time, I want to go. Everyone was so warm and welcoming. Seeing so many graduates come back to participate really shows that people want to stay involved, even after finishing the program.
What more do you think must be done to better support and increase Latina representation in STEM?
I think to better support and increase Latina representation in STEM, we need to start really early. Many of my STEM opportunities came from community college. Even though I did well in my science classes in high school, there’s so much interaction and engagement that could have been introduced at an earlier age.
Getting the Latina community engaged in STEM early makes the process more seamless– it helps spark that interest sooner. It’s also important to have programs that support students from high school to college because that’s when a lot of mentorship and one-on-one help disappears. That transition period– whether from high school to community college, community college to a four-year university, or directly from high school to a four-year university– is where a lot of students get lost and start to feel alone. I think that’s where LITSI really stepped in and provided that support.
Do you have any advice for younger Latinas interested in pursuing STEM?
I have so much advice! First, pace yourself– there’s plenty of time. Not everything has to be done all at once.
Second, remember that you have a team. There are so many other Latinas and others who are willing to work with you and help you. I feel like everything I’ve accomplished has been because of the help of others. Sometimes we think things aren’t possible because we assume we have to do them alone, but we don’t. There’s a community behind us.
Lastly, don’t let anyone tell you no. There will always be people who try to stop you, interrupt you, or push you toward something else. At the end of the day, it takes confidence to walk away from those situations and trust that what you want to accomplish is possible. You will experience that kind of doubt throughout your career, but it’s even harder to hear when you’re just starting out. Have confidence in yourself. You’re the one doing the work, so you’re the only one who should be able to tell yourself what to do.
Anything else you’d like to add?
To any other Latinos, get involved with LITSI! There are so many opportunities. I know it’s hard to sign up for the first time, since the first step is always the hardest, but definitely reach out. There’s so much support available. Just look within your community, find what inspires you, and keep moving forward.
It’s also important to mention that Latinas are underrepresented in many STEM fields. For California, 6% of doctors identify as Latinx despite the Latinx population of California being around 40%. This disparity is more grave as only 2% of doctors in California are Latina women. If anyone is interested in a career in medicine, I’d be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the journey as a pre-medical student!
It is critical to continue supporting Latinas throughout their academic and professional journeys. Together we are stronger and can be pillars of support for one another.