HOW SHPE SAN DIEGO WAS FOUNDED
In the fall of 1981, a group of young engineers inspired by Jesse Macias gathered to form the San Diego Chapter of the Society of Hispanic Engineers. The group, led by Juan Garcia included Jesus Armendariz, Marcia Ledezma, and Imelda Soto. For six months they operated without a formal organizational structure until the Spring of 1982 when other people heard the good news. Mike Cruz, Luis Gallegos, and Jose Valdez joined the group.
By this time, Juan Garcia had also planted the seed at San Diego State University and the student chapter at SDSU was already actively recruiting members. Robert Espinosa was the first student chapter President. Gil Montez, Jess Sandoval, Jorge Rosales, Ricardo Reyes, Paz Gomez, Ramon Ruelas, Marcelo Cabello, and Danny Delgadillo were the original student chapter members.
SINCE 1981
SHPE provides active academic support to its members, offers professional, career, and technical development opportunities, is involved with the Hispanic community in the San Diego area and supports recruitment of top-tier Hispanic students. The chapter also provides leadership and networking opportunities to its members and engages in outreach programs to increase interest and participation of Hispanics in the engineering and scientific fields. As a result SHPE members are well-rounded individuals, who learn to balance academia and extra curricular activities, while continuously striving for excellence. Upon graduation SHPE members have joined the ranks of many of the leading corporations in the U.S., and have also continued to find time to be involved with their community.
MISSION
SHPE changes lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support and development.
VISION
SHPE’s vision is a world where Hispanics are highly valued and influential as the leading innovators, scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.
VALUES
Familia
We take responsibility for our collective strength and passion by developing communities, building a diverse and inclusive membership, and challenging each other to be our best.
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Service
We act on a foundation of service. We commit to deliver the highest levels of quality, integrity, and ethical behavior. We act with empathy, patience, and understanding.
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Education
We value formal education and professional development. We are dedicated to continuous improvement and renewal. We learn from successes, setbacks, and each other.
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Resilience
We embrace our diverse cultures and communities, which enable us to adapt, thrive, and persist with optimism.