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America Perez founded ���Ĺ���’s FEMinSTEM+ club to give female STEM majors a stronger sense of belonging.

“With FEMinSTEM, I work to build a community that celebrates women, science and leadership,” she says. “It’s a space where we can be ambitious, vulnerable and supported.”

Understanding that women are underrepresented in STEM fields, the group acts as a peer support system. Members get advice and mentorship, attend workshops and events, gain

volunteer experiences and find a nurturing, inclusive community.

An aspiring sports medicine physician, America also serves as president of DU’s Minority Association of Pre-Health Students.

“I want to make sure we are increasing the rates of Latino students in medical schools and in the healthcare industry,” she says.

Service is equally important to America. At a children’s clinic in central Mexico, she has volunteered as a healthcare assistant, checking vitals and helping her young patients feel comfortable.

“I really feel inspired to give back to underrepresented communities, to children and to women,” America says.