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About Katalyst
Designed for Korean-American undergraduate students in STEM, Katalyst 2025: Korean-American Mentorship and Leadership Immersion for Young Scientists and Technologists is a conference that provides a platform for mentorship, leadership development, career planning, and networking.
Katalyst nurtures future Korean-American leaders in STEM, preparing them for their next steps after undergraduate education, whether it be in academia or industry. Participants will not only benefit from the immersive experience but also will be joining a community of Katalyst cohorts where they can continue to learn from and network with each other.
Participants are selected based on their past achievements, leadership potential, and future aspirations. Approximately 100 undergraduate student leaders and mentors will attend.
In light of reducing financial burden to individuals wanting to attend this event, we provide travel and meal support for the selected participants of the program.
Katalyst is hosted by the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA), a 501c(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1971 that serves Korean-American scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs across the United States.
Katalyst 2025 will be held in Raleigh (Research Triangle Park), North Carolina from Feb 21 - 23, 2025
Building Bridges, Shaping Leaders: From Ambition to Action
The Katalyst 2025 theme emphasizes the transitional journey students take from possessing raw ambition to becoming impactful leaders. It focuses on the concept of "building bridges" — not just physical or career-oriented bridges, but also metaphorical bridges between students and mentors, between personal aspirations and actionable goals, and between the present and the future.
The theme provides a vision of mentorship and leadership as processes that take students from raw ambition to actionable, impactful leadership, while highlighting the importance of networks, collaboration, and practical skills development.
Building Bridges
Mentorship and networking act as vital connections, guiding students from ambition to opportunity. These relationships help shape their path toward leadership and success.
Shaping Leaders
Focuses on practical leadership development through workshops and mentorship, helping students refine skills and define their leadership identity.
From Ambition to Action
Encourages turning aspirations into real-world impact through actionable steps, case studies, and practical strategies.
About KSEA
The Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) was established in 1971 as a non-profit organization that has grown to:
Over 10,000 registered members
75+ Local Chapter and Branches
~30 Affiliated Professional Societies
13 Technical Groups
KSEA Vision
To excel as a leading Korean-American scientific, engineering, and industrial organization, we will:
Promote the application of science and technology for the general welfare of society
Foster international cooperation especially between the U.S. and Korea
Help Korean-American Scientists and Engineers develop their full career potential
Serve the Korean-American Communities