The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers was founded in Los Angeles, California in 1974 by a group of engineers employed by the city of Los Angeles. Their objective was to form a national organization of professional engineers to serve as role models in the Hispanic community. Social networking was the key basis for the organization. SHPE quickly established two student chapters to begin the network that would grow to encompass the nation as well as reach countries outside the United States. Today SHPE’s network includes close to 300 chapters throughout the U.S. On June 1, 2017, SHPE announced Raquel Tamez would join the organization as Chief Executive Officer. In addition to appointing Tamez as its new CEO, SHPE also appointed Dr. Chris Wilkie its new COO and chief of staff. Both appointments took place in August. One month later, Miguel Alemañy was announced as the new Chair of the National Board of Directors. Along with AISES, NSBE, and SWE, SHPE is a founding member of the 50K Coalition, a collaborative of more than 40 organizations focused on producing 50,000 diverse engineering graduates annually by 2025. SHPE is also a member of the STEM Education Coalition which works to raise awareness about the critical role that STEM education plays in enabling the U.S. to remain the economic and technological leader of the global marketplace.
Programs
Volunteer leaders fill local leadership roles within SHPE’s regions and chapters, which carry out SHPE’s core programming. SHPE’s programs are designed to raise awareness of and access to STEM among Hispanic communities, and directly serve K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students, as well as academic and industry professionals. In addition to its overall leadership development framework for undergraduates, graduate students, and working professionals, SHPE runs the following individual programs:
SHPE Academics: Supports the journey of those in academia
SHPE Professionals: Offers leadership strategies that make a positive workplace impact
SHPE Technology & Innovation: Shines a spotlight on the latest technology and innovation in STEM
SHPE K-12: Offers student-focused programs to get young people excited about STEM
MentorSHPE: Provides a platform for members to build lasting relationships with other members
Noche de Ciencias: Family science night events promoting STEM awareness to K-12 students
ScholarSHPE: Offers students financial support to narrow the gap in the Hispanic STEM education pipeline
SHPEology: Designed to raise awareness about the importance of Hispanic inclusion in STEM
SHPEtina: Empowering Latinas in STEM offers strategies to thrive and overcome obstacles
Events
SHPE also maintains a strong network by hosting three annual events offering leadership skills training and networking opportunities for its membership and supporters. These events include:
National Convention. As the organization’s signature event, this is the largest technical and career conference for Hispanics in the United States, attracting over 6,000 engineering professionals, students, and corporate representatives. The conference features educational and technical panel discussions and workshops for its professional and student attendees. In addition, companies recruit talent for jobs and internships via a Career Fair Expo, as well as support competitions that allow undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to showcase their talents. There are specialized programs available for pre-college students, prospective graduate students, and academic and engineering professionals, as well as a Distinguished Lecture Series led by STEM academics.
National Institute for Leadership Advancement. This conference convenes newly elected chapter leaders from SHPE’s undergraduate and professional chapters, offering leadership, community engagement, and mentorship skills training through workshops, lectures, individual and team exercises, hands-on activities, and small group breakout sessions. All attendees receive the Certified Chapter Leader certificate upon program completion.
Regional Leadership Development Conference. These conferences, which are held in all seven of SHPE’s regions at a university, convene members of a region’s student chapters to improve their organizational, managerial, and technical skills. There is a focus on developing and improving chapters’ K-12 outreach programs, chapter infrastructure improvement, and corporate network strengthening.
STAR Awards
Exclusive to the National SHPE Convention is the STAR Awards Gala, which recognizes key individuals and corporations who have contributed significantly to support Hispanics in STEM. SHPE presents the following awards:
Jaime Oaxaca Award. Recognizes the recipient’s unselfish and outstanding contributions in the fields of engineering and science and in the community, as well as his/her unwavering dedication and commitment to the Society’s advancement.
Government Agency of the Year. Presented to an agency demonstrating support to SHPE’s educational programs and advancement of the Society’s mission.
Corporate Achievement Award. Presented to an individual with project, budget, and departmental responsibilities who has made significant accomplishments in the scientific, technical, or engineering arena within a corporation.
Company of the Year Award. Recognizes outstanding support to SHPE and its programs, based on significant, measurable, and visible assistance to help SHPE meet its goals; promotion of the achievements of Hispanic employees; dedication and commitment to the advancement of the Society’s growth and development; and demonstrated partnerships with public schools that have a high Hispanic enrollment.
Composed of national companies and government agencies committed to diversity and inclusion, SHPE’s Industry Partnership Council supports year-round programming, shares industry perspectives, provides resources and development tools, and invests in recruitment and retention for SHPE chapters. There are more than 45 IPC members.
Regions
SHPE is a national organization and is divided into seven regions as the picture below shows.
