UTSA will organize the first Mexican American Studies youth conference on November 7

Fostering the growth and advancement of the next generation of Mexican American scientists and leaders is the goal Melissa Renée Saeñz ’24, UTSA MAS alumna and member of the MAS Youth Conference publicity committee.

“Planning this conference gives me hope,” Saeñz said. “It fills me with pride to see how our work – our activism, advocacy and the efforts of scholars and educators at places like UTSA, San Antonio College and institutions of higher education in Yanaguana (San Antonio, Texas) – is making an impact. We don’t just teach history; we are reclaiming our history and demanding that our voices be heard in every classroom, from preschool through higher education.”

The growth of Mexican American studies in Texas dates back to 2014, when MAS scholars and community members successfully campaigned for the state’s adoption of a Mexican American studies elective.

Saldaña, co-director of the MAS Teachers’ Academy, reports that this elective saw a significant increase in enrollment last year, according to data the academy collected from the Texas Bureau of Education. Last year, more than 11,901 high school students across Texas took the class.

“The growth of Mexican American studies in our state’s public schools is a testament to the hard work and advocacy of scholars, educators and community members,” Saldaña said. “This conference is an opportunity to celebrate that progress and inspire the next generation of MAS leaders and changemakers.”

In addition to hosting students, the MAS Youth Conference welcomes UTSA alumni and faculty this month, providing space for intergenerational exchanges and for sharing personal testimonies on the impact of Mexican American studies.

The conference is part of a broader initiative funded by UTSAs A $100,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation to elevate diverse stories and perspectives through community engagement. With the funding, UTSA is also creating a digital testimonial series and a community-based lecture and discussion series with MAS faculty.