SHPE - Conference 2008 - (Page 6)

PRESIDENT’S LETTER n order to compete in today’s volatile employment market, engineers are learning to widen their perspective to solve the complex issues they confront. Analyzing methods and enhancing processes have become business imperatives for success. This same philosophy is evident at the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers as we evaluate what we have accomplished and strive to reach a higher level of performance. This concept of continuous improvement has become crucial to the evolution of the Society. The site of this year’s conference lends a particularly good measuring tool in assessing the Society’s improvement. It’s been 16 years since SHPE’s Conference was held in Phoenix, Arizona. Back then, it was a bold step for the organization, moving the conference out of Los Angeles for the first time in Society history. It was a three-day conference with 2,000 registrants and 110 exhibitors at its Career Fair. This year those numbers will at least double over a five-day timeframe - packed with seminars, speakers and events that members will find essential for their career advancement. In this issue of SHPE magazine you will find a comprehensive program guide detailing these offerings; but, I’d like to point out a few about which I’m most excited. Thanks to member feedback, a vital element for our continuous improvement, this year’s programs have been greatly improved and expanded. The expanded Professional Program was compiled and created from surveys and input from our professional members. Of note are two key panels including the Executive MBA panel that will facilitate the interaction between engineers and those at the top of their fields. Appealing to all the entrepreneurs among us, the Business Proposal Competition, sponsored by Microsoft, will afford participants the opportunity to take a business solution through its entire cycle, from concept to funding. Our professional members have asked for Conference programs that would offer continuing education credit while teaching hands-on skills necessary for today’s workplace. In response, for the first time at a national conference, SHPE will offer workshops such as Solid Works, which teaches basic and advanced training in a software program that is quickly becoming the industry standard for design, manufacturing and quality engineers. Students will benefit from improved workshops, many of which include interactive, hands-on activities, as well as tours that focus on corporate recruitment. During the Dean’s Summit, Hispanic leaders from academia will unite to develop an action plan on partnering with Hispanic Serving Institutions to increase success rates of Hispanics in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. Representatives from the White House, National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) and National Science Foundation (NSF) will also participate. Our phenomenally successful non-profit organization, AHETEMS (Advancing Hispanic Excellence in Technology, Engineering, Math & Science), charts new territory by presenting a one-day Teacher Program for local middle and high school math and science teachers employed in Hispanic serving schools. Approximately 50 teachers will participate in this hands-on workshop with materials from NASA, Smithsonian Institutes, the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Department of Energy (DOE). Beyond the excitement over the Conference agenda, there is big news on the national level. SHPE has expanded its influence and made its voice heard. Back in November 2007, SHPE solicited federal funding by marching Capitol Hill with representatives from Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (MAES) and Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). Lobbying together for greater participation from Latino organizations in STEM our powerful consortium showed that it is a part of the solution to this national work force crisis. By the beginning of 2008, SHPE representatives met with Congressman Joe Baca of California’s 43rd District, Chairman of the Hispanic Congressional Caucus, who has given solid support to several of SHPE’s goals for the year, and these meetings solidified that partnership. The cumulative effect of these meetings has produced rewarding results in the last few months. In September, Consortium representatives made numerous Congressional office visits and visible Department appearances. This yielded a contract/grant from the DOE and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and resulted in SHPE being appointed administrator for a Summer Internship Program. SHPE’s recommendations to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) were also accepted and incorporated into its Education Strategic Plan. In 1974, when SHPE was founded, the goal was to form a national organization of professional engineers to serve as peers and role models in the Hispanic community. Brought together by heritage, social responsibility and a desire to improve the equality of all people through the use of technology and science, our mission is carried out by tireless volunteers and leaders who have touched lives, inspired action and manifested SHPE’s goals. So much remains for us to do. Our future is built on the dedicated efforts of our members adding strength to our country through technical advancements. Their individual commitment to continuous improvement has personalized the success of SHPE and brought it the esteem it enjoys today. As your president, I look forward to improving our future with great anticipation and with continuous pride for all you do. Diana Gomez President I 6 SHPE ❘ Conference 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of SHPE - Conference 2008

SHPE - Conference 2008 President’s Letter From the Vice President News of Particular Interest to Society Members Calendar Making the Most of the Career Fair Grupos de Afinidad Phoenix Rising Advancing Hispanic Excellence in Technology, Engineering, Math and Science (AHETEMS) 2008 SHPE Conference Program Guide Welcome Letters Highlights Conference Schedule STAR Awards Company of the Year Chapter of the Year Awards Speakers Entertainment Hospitality Suites Advisor Program Professional Program Quick Guide Business Proposal Competition Professional Workshop Descriptions Technical Paper and Poster Competitions AHETEMS Design Competition Extreme Engineering Challenge National Academic Olympiad AHETEMS Teacher Program AHETEMS Pre-College Symposia Corporate Tours AHETEMS Graduate Program AHETEMS Distinguished Lecture Series AHETEMS Deans’ Summit Undergraduate Workshops Quick Guide Undergraduate Workshops Descriptions MUST Scholars Symposium Career Fair Exhibitors Sponsors Hotel and Convention Center Maps Regional Roundup Inner Circle Employer Profiles Advertisers Index

SHPE - Conference 2008

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