SHPE - Fall 2007 - (Page 14) C O V E R S T O RY T By Leilani Rangel T Photography by Chris Callaway, Photography USA NILA Class of 2007 Chapter Officers Unleash Leadership Potential S HPE conferences have become synonymous with intensive training, high-energy teamwork and minimal sleep. Take, for example, the experience of Paco Aguilar of The Pennsylvania State University. At the national event earlier this year, he participated in a competition to design, build and market a product in less than 24 hours. Then at the regional conference, his team had two days to plan an entire year’s calendar of events, solicit funding and prepare a summary presentation. Aguilar’s expectations of the National Institute for Leadership Advancement (NILA) were no different – and he couldn’t wait. Such energy and enthusiasm was evident among the 162 students and 42 professionals who participated in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers’ premier leadership program for newly elected chapter officers. Their preparation took place in August at the American Airlines Training and Conference Center in Fort Worth, Texas. From their 6 a.m. wakeup calls until well past midnight, when they turned in their case study logs, SHPE’s leaders were immersed in the training, networking and skill application that would shape their futures as leaders. National President Diana Gomez said that NILA is special to her because “it’s where leaders are born.” In her welcoming remarks, she shared the success of her alma mater chapter at Fresno State University, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. “In 25 years how many people’s lives were touched, how many Hispanic students were influenced to study engineering and how many graduated because of the chapter?” she said. “Multiply that by 150 chapters across the country, and you can imagine the tremendous impact SHPE is making. The only way Fresno’s chapter has been able to exist for so long is because it has done a good job in developing leaders. By the time your term is done, someone should be ready to step in and take your place. It’s how we’ll accomplish SHPE’s mission.” Before launching into the basic training needed to achieve that goal, SHPE’s leaders received the inspiration to sustain them. In his signature style of dynamic delivery, Dr. Calvin Mackie offered students a global perspective on the value of leadership. “When levies break, bridges collapse and streets blow up, it tells you that America’s infrastructure is falling apart,” he said. “If leaders don’t do something about it now, what is going to happen to your younger brothers and sisters and the kids following behind you?” During a recent trip to the Netherlands, which lies well below sea level, he witnessed the engineering marvels innovated after a 1953 flood that killed 1,800 people. “If the Dutch can protect their people, you know the greatest nation in the world can protect its people.” Dr. Mackie encouraged students to lead with passion, embracing hard work, sacrifice and persistence in attaining academic excellence. He also emphasized the importance of broadening their exposure to the world outside of the Hispanic culture. “The kids that you address must understand the importance of the knowledge economy, being in the know and living intelligently.” Quoting English Evangelist John Wesley, “When you set yourself on fire, people love to come and see you burn,” he continued, “Be on fire and show others that it’s okay for them to be on fire too. We need everyone to live up to their potential.” Another speaker, Eloise Owens, tasked professionals with identifying the most valuable thing leaders own, and then shared how she learned the answer: After a year of intense competition, she finished second to her national sales rival by a margin of $74.36. “I didn’t lose the award,” she said, “I lost my momentum. The three elements of momentum – drive, desire and determination – are the most fragile things you own.” Protecting them, she added, depends on the ability to self-manage. “Ask yourself, what will I cause to happen this year? What will I allow to hinder my effectiveness? The whole point of momentum is to get mentally tough. When we let emotion rule us, it can ruin us.” In The NILA 2007 committee. SHPE National Staff (front row) Karina Jaime, Carmen Peralta, Alli Sadighpour, Lourdes Arce, (back row) Gary Cruz, Valerie Valenzuela, Frank Barragan, Rafael Rivera, Marilyn Cruz, Rafaela Schwan and Fred Muñoz. (center) Banquet keynote speakers IBM’s Alma Rosales and TI’s Dr. Al Griffin pictured with SHPE VP Hernandez and President Gomez. 14 SHPE R Fall 2007
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