2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

1. Dr. Juanita K. Hinojosa University of Nevada - Las Vegas [biography]

   Juanita K. Hinojosa is a Research Associate in the Department of Educational Psychology, Leadership, and Higher Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Dr. Hinojosa received her Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and proudly identifies as a first-generation college graduate and immigrant scholar. Hinojosa’s lived experiences inform her work and research, and she is passionate about researching and developing inclusive practices and policies that advocate for and support students pursuing a postsecondary degree.

2. Vanessa Vongkulluksn University of Nevada - Las Vegas [biography]

   Dr. Vanessa W. Vongkulluksn is an Associate Professor in the College of Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She earned her Ph.D. in Education from the University of Southern California. As a first-generation immigrant, she understands how the intentional facilitation of motivationally supportive learning spaces is crucial for student success – especially those whose cultural assets may not be recognized by our educational system. Her research centers on contextually-specific motivation and engagement in technology-integrated STEM learning contexts. A central focus of this work is to design innovative learning environments and teacher resources for supporting equitable motivation and engagement, particularly for historically underserved students.

3. Dr. Blanca Rincon University of California Riverside [biography]

   Blanca E. Rincón is an associate professor of STEM Equity and Education at the University of California Riverside. She received her Ph.D. in education policy studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She identifies as a proud Mexicana/Latina, a daughter of immigrants, and is the first in her family to attend college. Her research agenda aims to advance educational equity for historically underserved and marginalized college students in STEM, and specifically Latina/o/x college students. With support from the National Science Foundation, her research investigates three interrelated lines of inquiry: 1) The origins, sustainability, and impact of STEM enrichment programs, 2) The institutional environments that shape college student experiences and outcomes, and 3) The culturally derived assets that college Students of Color mobilize to navigate and persist in STEM

4. Dr. Melissa Lynn Morris University of Nevada - Las Vegas [biography]

   Melissa Morris is currently a Professor in Residence and the Undergraduate Coordinator in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She also serves as the Faculty Director of the Teaching and Learning Commons at UNLV. She previously served as a Teaching Associate Professor for the Fundamentals of Engineering Program, at WVU

5. Dr. Iesha Jackson University of Nevada - Las Vegas [biography]

   Dr. Iesha Jackson is the Associate Dean for Faculty and Inclusive Excellence and an Associate Professor of Teacher Education in the College of Education at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). Her work with faculty and pre-service teachers calls attention to the need for healing-centered, equity-based reforms in educational spaces. She brings this work to the NSF IUSE HSI Hub to focus on creating inclusive, asset-based learning environments in STEM.

6. Prof. Eduardo A Robleto University of Nevada Las Vegas [biography]

   Eduardo A. Robleto is a Latino professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Life Sciences. Dr. Robleto is a native of Nicaragua and got his BSc in 1986 from the Escuela Agricola Panamericana in Honduras. He earned his M.Sc. in 1994 and Ph.D. in 1998 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Also, he was a Postdoctoral fellow at UW Madison and Tufts School of Medicine during 1998-2002. Dr. Robleto is the Program Coordinator of Nevada-INBRE, which is designed to improve the biomedical research infrastructure and diversify the STEM workforce in Nevada. The Robleto lab studies DNA repair, mutagenesis, and gene expression in cells experiencing stress. Dr. Robleto believes that strong and committed mentoring empowers students to meet their potential in research and academic development. Providing role models for diverse students fosters a learning and inclusive environment that promotes innovation and creativity at UNLV and consequently improves the nation's workforce.

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