Director, ASPIRE Grant
California State University, Stanislaus
Turlock, California, United States
Iqbal Atwal is a passionate advocate for student success and equity in STEM. As the Director and Principal Investigator of the ASPIRE Program at California State University, Stanislaus, he leads transformative initiatives that empower first-generation and underrepresented students to thrive in their academic and professional journeys.
With over 14 years of experience in higher education, Iqbal has dedicated his career to serving the students of California’s Central Valley — a region rich with potential and resilience. At Stan State, he oversees the HSI-STEM and Articulation Grant, a multifaceted program supporting freshmen and transfer students through summer STEM immersion, peer mentoring, internship pathways, and articulation partnerships with community colleges.
Iqbal is a proud double alumnus of Stan State, earning his B.A. in Political Science (2009) and M.A. in Public Administration (2012). His work reflects his deep commitment to the region and its students. Prior to leading ASPIRE, he served as Project Director for STEM Success at Stanislaus State, and previously as the Graduate Recruitment, Retention & Outreach Manager at UC Merced, where he led initiatives that increased diversity and inclusion in graduate STEM programs.
His professional journey also includes impactful roles with the McNair Scholars Program at UC Merced and TRIO/Pre-College programs at Modesto Junior College, giving him a full-spectrum view of the educational pipeline — from high school to graduate school.
Whether he’s building bridges between institutions or mentoring students one-on-one, Iqbal is driven by a singular mission: to expand opportunity and elevate the next generation of STEM leaders.
Where Did Our STEM Majors Go? Novel Tools for Understanding Student Actions
Thursday, May 22, 2025
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM East Coast USA Time