About the Institute for Science Leadership
The Institute for Science Leadership is an El Paso-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing scientists to communicate effectively, engage meaningfully with communities, and contribute to public leadership.
Scientists receive extensive training in research and in communicating with others in their fields. However, they may have fewer opportunities to explain their work to the public, listen and respond to community priorities, or engage with the institutions and policymakers whose decisions affect society.
ISL was created to help close that gap.
Our Mission
Our mission is to prepare scientists to become effective communicators, collaborative partners, and civic leaders through experiential learning, interdisciplinary partnerships, mentorship, and community-connected opportunities.
Our Vision
We envision a future in which scientists can translate knowledge into public understanding, trusted partnerships, and evidence-informed action.
Why This Work Matters
Scientific knowledge can improve health, protect natural resources, and inform public decisions, but only when scientists can communicate clearly, build trust, and connect their work to community needs.
ISL creates opportunities for scientists to develop these skills through real-world experiences. Participants will learn by communicating with public audiences, working alongside community partners, receiving mentorship from scientists and other experts, and exploring how scientific evidence contributes to local and state decision-making.
Who We Serve
ISL is being developed to support undergraduate students, graduate students, and early-career professionals in the natural and health sciences.
Our first program, the Science Leadership Academy, will provide cohort-based learning experiences that help participants strengthen their abilities to:
Communicate scientific information to non-specialists
Listen and respond to community priorities
Build relationships across disciplines and professions
Engage responsibly in civic and public processes
Apply scientific knowledge to real-world challenges
Lead with evidence, integrity, and respect
Rooted in the El Paso Region
ISL is rooted in the El Paso region and shaped by the strengths, experiences, and priorities of the people who live here.
We believe communities should be more than audiences for scientific information. Community members and organizations should be respected as partners who help identify important questions, provide local knowledge, shape meaningful projects, and define what successful engagement looks like.
Through partnerships with educational institutions, scientific organizations, public agencies, community organizations, and local leaders, ISL will create opportunities for scientists to learn with and contribute to the communities they serve.
Building for the Future
The Science Leadership Academy is the first program under the Institute for Science Leadership. As partnerships, capacity, and funding grow, ISL may develop additional programs focused on community science partnerships, science policy and public leadership, mentorship, and other areas that advance the organization’s mission.
We are building carefully, beginning with strong partnerships and a shared commitment to preparing scientists who can lead with and for their communities.
