Entering its third full academic year as a student organization, LSTO, short for Latinos in STEM Organization, has already made an impact at the College of Engineering. 

Currently comprised of around 20 members, LSTO is open to all students and aims to provide support to the Latin community within STEM concentrations both academically and socially. 

The organization hosts a variety of meetings throughout the academic year to showcase resources for students. Some professional meetings have included resume workshops, research opportunities and industry guest speakers. For more social events, they often collaborate with other Latin organizations, hosting game nights, potlucks and study nights. Last year they were co-organizers of the College of Engineering Industry Panel, a collaboration between fellow engineering student organizations including Biomedical Engineering Society, TemPO, Theta Tau and Society of Women Engineers. 

Early in their time as a student organization, LSTO continues to seek growth opportunities and ways to stay connected. They hope to eventually create committees of specific STEM majors for even further professional support and to form a strong alumni network once some of their original members graduate.  

Providing support and guidance to fellow students is one of Elena Reyes Plazola, vice president of LSTO’s, favorite aspects of being involved with the organization, especially guiding younger students who are just entering the STEM field.  Plazola explains, “I feel like I was there in their shoes for a minute, but now I think that we can provide that guidance.” 

Dario Duran, president of LSTO, appreciates the community LSTO has created. “It's nice seeing people like you, like a similar background, just to kind of guide you throughout your career,” he states. Part of the reason Duran founded the organization was to provide cultural and academic support to peers, something he felt he could contribute to the College of Engineering community. 

Plazola and Duran encourage any students looking for a supportive community within the STEM field to attend a LSTO meeting. More information can be found on their Owl Connect Profile: https://temple.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/lsto