Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers celebrates 50 years
SHPE provides community for underrepresented students in STEM
The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, or SHPE, has been empowering Hispanic engineers nationwide for the last 50 years.
The chapter at the University of Cincinnati is one of nearly 300 across the United States. Founded in 1973 by a Hispanic civil engineer working in Los Angeles, the society was created to increase professional support for Hispanic engineers and provide a sense of community in an area where representation is lacking.
"In SHPE, we pride ourselves on creating a family and community away from home for students," said Zachary Torres, a fourth-year environmental engineering student and president of UC's chapter. "It can be hard to feel like you belong, which is why the SHPE familia is so important."
Familia or family is one of the central values of the society. Everything the organization does is framed in a community-focused mindset. UC's chapter is dedicated to fostering a sense of family both at the College of Engineering and Applied Science and in the Cincinnati community.
In SHPE, everyone wants to better themselves. We're there to learn, we're there to grow, but we're also there to support one another in everything we do. That's the familia aspect of it.
Marcela Palek, UC biomedical engineering student
Locally, the society hosts and participates in numerous volunteer outreach events, including Noche de Ciencias or Night of Science event held every semester. For this, the society partners with local high schools to bring students to campus for a day of STEM activities.
"We want to inspire students to think about STEM because some of the schools don't have STEM or engineering classes, and if they aren't taking these classes, they don't know if they're interested in the field," said Marcela Palek, third-year biomedical engineering student and SHPE vice president.
Marcela Palek, right, was in charge of a Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers event that partnered with local high school to bring 50 students to campus for a day of STEM activities. Photo/Provided
For the most recent Noche event, the group partnered with GE Aerospace and Withrow High School to host 50 high school students. Through the course of the day, students were shown the benefits of a STEM degree, learned about salaries in STEM, competed with one another in an engineering design challenge to build a mouse trap racecar, and were able to make connections with current Hispanic engineering students. For many of these students, without the outreach of SHPE, they may never be exposed to STEM or see people in STEM who look like they do.
To maintain the connection made with these students, SHPE stays in touch through emails with study tips, book recommendations, and invitations to reach out if they need help with anything.
"In minority communities, there tends to be a lack of awareness of opportunity. Families come to the U.S. and know about college, but don't know about scholarships, or that there are people willing to help them," Palek said. "Our goal is to make them aware of engineering, make them aware of the jobs and opportunities in the field, and make them aware of all the resources and help available to them."
Marcela Palek, left, and Zachary Torres at the 2023 Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers National Conference. Photo/Provided
The society provides these resources as well. Palek said they sent students home with a QR code families could scan for help with the college application process. Chapter members volunteered to mentor families and guide them through it. Applying to college can be a lengthy and challenging task, and without help, some students might turn away from pursuing higher education.
According to PEW Research Center, Hispanic professionals make up 17% of the working population in the U.S., and only 8% of all STEM professionals are Hispanic. Odds are, many Hispanic students who pursue engineering will see few, if any, STEM professionals who are also Hispanic.
"It can feel very excluding and hard to relate to other people. I'm the only Hispanic in my class of fourth-year environmental engineers which is interesting. It provides more perspective of why the familia aspect of SHPE is so important," Torres said.
This year, 20 UC students attended the annual SHPE National Conference in Salt Lake City. Photo/Provided
Along with familia, SHPE values professional development and education. A major way the organization does this is with the annual SHPE national conference. This year, it was held in Salt Lake City, and had more than 10,000 attendees. Part of the event is a career fair wherein students can make connections, find co-op jobs and learn from other Hispanic STEM professionals. Torres shared that thanks to an existing connection through SHPE, he landed a position at the Idaho National Laboratories for his double co-op rotation. Palek describes the conference as an incredible opportunity that motivated and inspired her both personally and professionally. This year, UC's chapter was able to send 20 students to the conference in November.
"In SHPE, everyone wants to better themselves. We're there to learn, we're there to grow, but we're also there to support one another in everything we do because engineering is a rigorous challenge and having that support system is so important to every student," Palek said. "That's the familia aspect of it."
Featured image at top: UC students at the annual SHPE national conference. Photo/Provided
Related Stories
Aerospace engineering student encourages women in her field
June 15, 2021
Rachel Wiggins, aerospace engineering doctoral student at the University of Cincinnati, is testing a rotating detonation engine that is smaller and more efficient than existing combustion engine technology. Outside of her research work, Wiggins launched Women in Flight, a student organization that fosters a supportive environment for women in aerospace and aviation fields. She was named Graduate Student Engineer of the Month by the College of Engineering and Applied Science.
Celebrating 50 years of the National Society of Black Engineers
February 21, 2024
For half a century, the National Society of Black Engineers has committed to increasing the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community. UC's chapter is one of more than 600 global chapters. The organization celebrates 50 years.
Passion for infrastructure drives student's return to finish degree
July 7, 2021
Vernisha Walker's passion for designing a better environment led her to return to University of Cincinnati to finish her degree in civil engineering, bringing with her experiences from almost a decade out of the field, 6 years in the health insurance industry, and becoming a first-time mother.