Great Minds in STEM (GMiS) is proud to announce that the STARS Computing Core (STARS) will co-locate its 2026 STARS Equinox at the GMiS Conference, bringing together a powerful community of students, researchers, faculty and administrators committed to advancing opportunities in computing and STEM education.
The 2026 GMiS Conference, to be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is expected to welcome more than 100 students and up to 50 faculty members from STARS chapters across the country.
“Partnering with STARS Computing Core represents an exciting convergence of two missions centered on empowering the next generation of innovators,” said Peter Mellado, Executive Director of Great Minds in STEM. “Together with our long-time co-location partners, the Computing Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institution (CAHSI), we are creating an even more dynamic environment where students can connect with peers, faculty, employers, and industry professionals who are shaping the future of technology and STEM.”
“Co-locating STARS Equinox with the GMiS Conference alongside CAHSI is a meaningful opportunity to deepen the sense of belonging and shared purpose that is at the heart of the STARS community,” said Laurel Watkins de Jong, Executive Director of STARS Computing Core. “When our STARS scholars step into a space alongside a broader network of peers, mentors, and industry partners who share a commitment to broadening participation in computing and STEM, it expands what’s possible for them — new connections, new pathways, and a stronger collective foundation as we look towards the future of STEM.”
Founded with support from the National Science Foundation, STARS Computing Core is a national alliance of colleges, universities, faculty, students, and industry partners dedicated to broadening participation in computing disciplines.
For nearly four decades, the GMiS Conference has served as one of the nation’s premier gatherings dedicated to celebrating and advancing excellence in STEM. The annual event convenes thousands of students, educators, professionals, government leaders, and corporate partners from across the country for a multi-day experience focused on innovation, workforce development, leadership, and opportunity. The addition of the STARS Equinox further strengthens the event’s growing focus on computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software engineering, and emerging technologies.
Additional details regarding the 2026 GMiS Conference and STARS programming are available at www.gmisconference.org and starscomputingcore.org.
About Great Minds in STEM
Great Minds in STEM is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping America technologically strong by promoting STEM education, workforce development, and leadership opportunities for all communities. Through conferences, scholarships, educational programming, and professional recognition initiatives, GMiS empowers students and professionals to pursue and succeed in STEM careers.
About STARS Computing Core
STARS is a student-centered organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of diverse computing leaders by fostering supportive communities, igniting action, and building sustainable pathways to a more representative tech workforce.
