Mark you calendar • 07.18.10
Don’t forget SHPE National Conference, the largest technical conference for Hispanics, is Oct 28-30, 2010 in Cincinnati, OH! Visit SHPE.org for details
SHPE President’s Spring message • 03.16.10
As engineers, the domain in which we practice our science is one of facts. As members of SHPE, our concern is to fill the pipeline that provides our nation with the necessary engineers and scientists to assure technical leadership for generations to come. Here are the inescapable facts: According the Census Bureau, the Latino population in the United States is expected to grow from 15 percent to 28 percent by the year 2050. While this fills us with pride, it also demands responsibility. We have an obligation to contribute our share to an educated and technically trained work force that is globally competitive. Some reports indicate that by 2025, as much as 22 percent of the U.S. college population will be Latino, a level already exceeded in four states (California, Florida, New York and Texas). Today, only 7 percent of Latinos, ages 18-24, have an associate’s degree or higher compared to 9 percent of African Americans, 16 percent of Caucasians and 25 percent of Asians. Now more than ever, our visibility and involvement in STEM education is crucial to significantly advancing our nation’s goals.
More inescapable facts: Statistics indicate that in 2005 Hispanics accounted for 4.2 percent of all the engineering bachelor’s degrees awarded – a 1.3 percent decrease from 1995. These same statistics showed that in 2005 Hispanic men accounted for 2.5 percent and Hispanic women for 0.9 percent of the engineering master’s degrees awarded. At the doctoral level, Hispanic women represented a mere 0.4 compared to Hispanic men at 1.1 percent. Those statistics are already five years old, so I’m curious to see where the numbers are for the 2010 census, being conducted now.
Within SHPE, we have nearly 100 Ph.D. members serving at the top of their fields; yet, in my opinion they are not getting the attention and support they deserve. That is why one of my tenure goals is to focus attention on advanced degree holders. SHPE’s responsibility doesn’t end when a student member gets his or her first job, a master’s degree or even a Ph.D. I strongly believe that we have an ongoing commitment to add value to their professional membership.
We plan to keep our Ph.D. members in the spotlight. Against the depressing statistics surrounding Latinos, these members serve as dramatic reminders that negative stereotypes do not define us as an organization or as a community. The accomplishments of our Ph.D. members serve as a far better definition of what can be accomplished against all odds. They have faced the demographic challenges inherent in academia, and some of them have overcome them to earn world recognition and become role models for aspiring young researchers.
Among the many accomplishments of our Ph.D. members is a Congressional Fellow and a Science Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE); a Diplomacy Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and an Evaluator for Technical Areas of the Missile Defense Agency. We need our Ph.D. members to serve bigger roles as respected voices in leadership, including industry boards and advisory councils. As an organization, SHPE will use its resources and networks to advance the professional accomplishments and influence of these individuals. This issue’s cover article on Latinas in Government includes a profile of one such esteemed member, Dr. Angelique Diaz, whose work at the Environmental Protection Agency is in radiation-related fields.
Graduate education is the pipeline that produces the university faculty and researchers of the future. Through our graduate programs, we are encouraging more SHPE members to pursue advanced degrees. As we help our members achieve their fullest potential, we need them to guide future generations, impressing upon them that it is not only possible, but crucial that they continuing their education and step into leadership roles within the STEM and Latino communities.
I wholeheartedly believe that SHPE has the power to show the world how to dream big. Our most esteemed and highly educated peers deserve respect for their dedication and skill. As STEM professionals, educators and students, our leadership is needed during these times of great opportunity and challenge.
January Letter from SHPE • 02.23.10
As we begin the new year, it is a time of reflection. It is a time to think of the year that has passed and of the year to come.
As I look back at 2009, I am proud of our success as an organization. Congratulations are in order. Thanks to you, our dedicated SHPE members – students and professionals – sponsors, committee chairs, volunteers, staff and board, the 2009 SHPE Conference in Washington, D.C. was the best and biggest in SHPE’s history. In fact, it was a success before we even got started, with record-breaking registration numbers! Almost 6,000 of the nation’s top minds in STEM gathered together for the largest technical conference for Hispanics in the nation.
Our national conference is not the only thing that grew this year. In 2009, SHPE opened a new office in our nation’s capitol, Washington, D.C. This new office will allow us to work closely with federal agencies for funding SHPE programs, developing partnerships with various federal agencies, and influencing Hispanic education policy at the national level. And we’re hitting the ground running, as we’ve recently hired Deborah Martinez as the new Director of Programs for AHETEMS. Her extensive track record leading national associations and organizations will help guide SHPE/AHETEMS to develop invaluable programs for pre-college and college students nationally.
And we continue to grow both our membership numbers and the services we provide to our members. SHPE was started 35 years ago by a small group of engineers in California, but this year, we grew to 240 student chapters spread across the nation. These student members continue to make an impact with the great work they do on their campus and in their communities. And, thanks to AHETEMS, we had the first ever Graduate Leadership Institute for SHPE graduate students at NILA. But it doesn’t stop there. In 2009 we began efforts, which will continue into 2010, to further highlight our PhDs, those stars among us who have put in the time and effort to reach the highest level of academia.
2009 was a great year for SHPE. But our success, this momentum, cannot stop now. We are just getting started. As I look forward to 2010, I am excited about our continued growth potential. I look forward to the changes we are striving for – increased membership numbers, and more importantly, increased membership benefits. We are adding value to your SHPE membership at every level.
SHPE is the source for quality Hispanic engineers and technical talent. We are committed to enhancing America’s position in math, science, engineering and technology with a strong and talented Hispanic workforce. Our mission is difficult, but important. I am excited for what we can accomplish together in 2010 for our members and our nation.
Happy New Year.
Manny Hernández
SHPE President’s letter • 10.27.09
As engineers, we are the first to celebrate technical innovation and scientific breakthroughs – hallmarks advanced human understanding. Within the STEM fields, as well as many others, Hispanics have moved to the pinnacle of success and along the way have garnered a number of “firsts.” Consider José Hernández, the first SHPE member in space. This year’s Jaime Oaxaca Award recipient, Hernández follows in the footsteps of two other Hispanic engineers Dr. Franklin Chang-Diaz, the first Hispanic to enter the U.S. Space Program (1986), with a Ph.D. in applied plasma physics; and electrical engineer Dr. Ellen Ochoa, who became the first Hispanic woman astronaut (1991) and is now Deputy Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
Reaching back just a bit further, two notable scientific firsts include the 1968Nobel Prize in Physics won by Luis Walter Alvarez for discoveries about subatomic particles. Later, he and his son proposed the now-accepted theory that the mass dinosaur extinction was caused by a meteor impact. The first Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine won by a Hispanic went to Severo Ochoa in 1959, for the synthesis of ribonucleic acid (RNA).
As we now gather in Washington, D.C., for the 2009 SHPE Conference, Hispanics are making history in our nation’s capital as well. The first ever Hispanic Chief Justice Sonia Sotomayor sits on the Supreme Court. She is only the third woman in the history of the court. Last year, Governor Bill Richardson became the first Hispanic to run for the highest office in the nation. Though he eventually lost the democratic nomination to Barack Obama, Richardson made history by entering the race. Ten percent of this administration’s nominees have been Hispanic – a statistical presence that speaks to the level of achievement of professional Hispanics as well as a testament to the expanded outreach of this administration.
Our Society, too, has had memorable firsts. Today, 35 years after its founding, more than 10,000 SHPE members cherish a sense of pride for their personal role in fulfilling its mission and vision. Industry and government regard it as the premier Hispanic organization from which to recruit the best and brightest.
We are committed to working hand-in-hand with our corporate partners to create opportunities and careers for Hispanics in the STEM fields. We will empower our membership through education and training. Our members want to build bridges, power plants and contribute to over-the-horizon technologies like the International Space Station. SHPE is teeming with so much potential and talent that it won’t be long before we add to our growing list of significant firsts.
SHPE President’s Message • 10.12.09
The 2009 SHPE Conference in Washington, D.C. is looming on the horizon, and we have never been in a better position before a national conference. An estimated 6,000 of the United States top talent, brilliant minds and cutting-edge corporations will come together to advance professional and educational opportunities for Hispanics in the STEM fields.
Over the past two years, the SHPE Conference has continued to break records, attracting more attendees than ever before, inspiring more corporations to partner with us and providing more hands-on workshops and seminars. The great momentum and excitement that began with our move to the fall only continues to grow. In fact, our October 1 early registration deadline exceeded all expectations as packages that included hotel accommodations were sold out that night. We’ve reserved more rooms though, so hurry and register before we sell out again!
To all those attending and to those still considering attending our conference, let me remind you that we are the nation’s largest technical conference for Hispanics. The SHPE Conference offers numerous educational, technical, networking and career programs to support college students and professionals. Middle and high schools students will be inspired to pursue career in the STEM fields through a series of interactive seminars, career fair, Expo and science competitions.
Professional attending the SHPE Conference will have a wide-array of valuable resources at their finger tips including certification, skills development, networking, technology competitions and access to the US top corporations and governmental agencies seeking our brightest minds – remember there is still time left for attendees to sign up. Join all of your fellow members from across the nation at the SHPE Conference, October 28 to November 1, in Washington, D.C.
I wish to extend my sincere thanks to those who are making this conference possible – our sponsors, members, committee chairs and volunteers, staff and board. Our success in such a tumultuous year speaks to the passion and commitment you all have to truly making SHPE the source for quality Hispanic engineers and technical talent.
If you are not already actively involved in SHPE, now is a great time to get involved. There is a place and need for each of us. SHPE can help you reach personal, academic and professional goals, and in turn, you can help SHPE change the future of the Latino community and our nation for the better.
I look forward to seeing our SHPE membership come together like never before at the conference this year. We have an incredible mission before us, and as long as we continue our quest to make a difference in our community, industry and nation, it is an achievable mission.
See you in D.C.!
Manny Hernández
SHPE National President
SOCIETY OF HISPANIC PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS HIRES NEW CEO • 10.03.09
LOS ANGELES– The members of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) are proud to announce the addition of a new CEO, Pilar Montoya, effective September 28, 2009.
As CEO, Montoya will be leading SHPE, and she’ll manage the Los Angeles office and implement government relations efforts in Washington, D.C.
“Pilar has spent much of her life promoting both the Hispanic community and educational attainment, and we are excited about her addition to our organization,” said Manny Hernández, president of SHPE. “With Pilar’s expertise, we plan on expanding our presence nationally, build stronger partnerships and alliances, and increase brand awareness and membership to help ensure SHPE continues to uphold its mission to transform lives through technical education, academic development and professional growth for our members.”
With a strong background managing non- and for-profit organization’s operations and finances, Pilar Montoya will provide crucial marketing, business management, corporate relations and entrepreneurial skills to SHPE.
Comprised of 10,000 members, SHPE is the source for quality Hispanic engineers and technical talent. Its board of directors and staff offer programs to pre-college students, undergraduate and graduate students, educators and professionals in the engineering and technical fields.
Prior to joining SHPE, Montoya worked with several non-profits in the development of strategic plans to successfully increase fundraising efforts, operational success and financial growth. These positions included serving as the vice-president of regional outreach for The San Diego Foundation, where she expanded the $500 million granting foundation’s presence regionally, and acting as the director of community affairs for the Neighborhood House Association where she tripled fundraising revenues in one year.
Montoya also has extensive experience in the private sector. She was the president and owner of Montoya Communications, Inc., a nationally recognized and award winning public relations and advertising firm.
Outside of her professional achievements, Montoya has been recognized as both a community and business leader in the Latino and California community. For her civic contributions, she’s been recognized with an assembly resolution for efforts with Latino youth, has been awarded the Latino Political Action Committee, Business Woman of the Year Award, the Sacramento Urban League’s Community Service Award, American Cancer Society’s Rose Award and the Sacramento Child Abuse Prevention Council, Volunteer of the Year Recognition. Additionally, she was awarded the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Person of the Year. Montoya has also received advertising and public relations awards from Hispanic Business Magazine’s “Se Habla Espanol” and Association of Business Communicators.
About SHPE and AHETEMS
With 10,000 members, SHPE, Inc. is the source for quality Hispanic engineers and technical talent, committed to enhancing America’s position in math, science, engineering and technology with a strong and talented Hispanic workforce. For more information, please visit www.shpe.org.
The AHETEMS Foundation directs and develops informal science education, educational enrichment, college awareness initiatives and college prep programs for Hispanic pre-college, undergraduate and graduate students. Funding for AHETEMS initiatives is derived from various federal, state, local and private grants and private tax-deductible donations.
For more information, please visit www.ahetems.org.
You can change History. We can change History. • 05.14.09
Tomorrow is the last day to choose a new SHPE President. Your vote will decide the destiny of SHPE, and therefore, the destiny of many Latinos in our country. Why am I so convinced of it?
Let me tell you my own story, not unlike that of many Hispanics. In fact, this is one that I hear time after time. Having been raised in a poor Puerto Rican family in NY, the school system had already decided that I would be a mechanic, a construction worker, or if lucky, a print shop operator, but no more. I did not know any better, my parents did not know any better, and we thought it was good. It must have been, right? It was the US school system!
Luckily, the chairman of the math department saw something in me and got me out of vocational shops and put me through all the math and science classes. With enthusiasm and in earnest I took all the courses I could and did not stop until graduating with a master’s degree. I have been a successful engineer for more than 30 years, have worked in many exciting projects, and have been trusted with national defense responsibilities. But just the same, I could have ended up very short of this, had it not been for the one person who made a difference in my life.
That was more than 30 years ago and you would have thought that our school system would have seen the light by now. Not really. Just a few years ago, my daughter was being steered towards home economic classes so that she would assume her rightful place in the kitchen. This did not sit well with me as you can imagine so of course I prevented this from happening. She went on to graduate third in her class and today she holds a masters degree. I was lucky, and that made my daughter lucky, but most Hispanic kids are not.
That is what SHPE is all about. We have a network of people that make a difference to each other and we make a difference to our kids. Each of us can change someone’s history and by it, everyone else around them.
You, with your vote, can change history, and you can choose to help SHPE change the history of many Latinos, by helping hundreds of thousands of Hispanic students and professionals to be the top engineers they deserve to be. That is my vision and my plan.
If you have not done it yet, please cast your vote.
Vote for Manny - Pass it along! • 05.13.09
The last day for SHPE elections is around the corner. Your vote counts- watch the video and passthis link around!
You have the swing vote - Vote for Manny!
Two SHPE VIPs Endorse Manny for SHPE National President • 05.12.09
I was pleasantly surprised and delighted to be endorsed by two very high-profile and long-time SHPE members, Oscar A. Herrera, SHPE Region 1 VP (2005-2007), and San Francisco Bay Area SHPE President (2002-2005), as well as Andres Martin, San Francisco Bay Area SHPE President (2006-2009), and West Coast Career Expo Char/Co-Chair (2003-2005).
Here’s an excerpt from the letter:
Manny Hernandez has a strong resume with the SHPE organization and over the past few years he has been one of the biggest advoctes for bringing more opportunities for SHPE Professionals. He has headed up professional development programs at the National conference and implemented training seminars such as the Mnagement Growth Training (MGT) and the Engineering Leadership Institute (ELI) to take our SHPE Professionals to the next level in their careers.
You’ll find the endorsement letter below. Thank you Oscar, and thank you Martin!
Those who do not know history are destined to repeat it • 05.10.09
By Manny Hernandez
As the conclusion of the SHPE elections approach, my stress level increases. Some of my friends try to help me but they do not seem to understand my worries and to be honest, it’s been hard to express them. On the surface, they think that my worries are about losing the election and they try to convince me that IF I were to lose this election I would win.
I would win more time and freedom to do the many things I have been postponing in my life, such as spending more time with my friends and family, riding my motorcycle, more skiing, playing more racquetball, and reading the pile of books I have not had a chance to.
Their words have no effect on me. So what is it then? Digging deeper I was able to find the right words. It was like finally finding a long sought piece in a difficult puzzle.
I am very worried about the future of SHPE. I realized that even after all the 20 plus years of work that I have put in to tryto make it the great organization that it is, with all its faults, and all the great things that she offers us, there is a lot more to be done.
SHPE has done a lot for tens of thousands or people, but I know in my heart that it can do the same for hundreds of thousands of people. We can create the best Latino engineers and scientist in the nation. We ourselves can become the best engineers and scientists in the nation. But each of us cannot do it alone. We need SHPE. We need a stronger SHPE. We need her to be all that she can be.
My worry is that this bright future could be at risk.
Many of us have devoted a lifetime to this organization. We have carefully chosen the right strategies, the right governance models, the right problems to work on, and we have made the tough unpopular decisions, all with great results. Yet, a lot more remains to be done.
We have got momentum. Lots of changes are needed, yes but we cannot and should not go back to the dark days. I have lived through them and it would be a sin, even if unintentionally. While I respect the ideas and enthusiasm of my peer candidates, I am not convinced that they understand how easy it is to repeat the mistakes of our past.
Someone wise once said: “Those who do not know history are destined to repeat it”. I care too much for SHPE to see this happen.
Help me build the future of SHPE forward, not back.
