Establishing Identity Through Research and Impactful Programming

Authentic research experiences and community engagement are powerful drivers for student identity building in physics. These experiences provide students with opportunities to establish relationships, build community, and engage with the broader physics community. This talk explores ways young students can build their physics identity, highlighting local programming developed at University of San Diego, intentional mentorship strategies, and the impact of conferences like APS CU*iP. Through these collective experiences, students can begin to develop the confidence and vision to see themselves as part of the physics community.