SHPE - Winter 2008 - (Page 24) MEET THE PRESIDENTS REGION VI St. Louis Gateway, Missouri Marco Echeverria A SHPE member for two years, Marco Echeverria is primarily interested in the chapter’s outreach activities, which serve as a means to expand the minds of young Hispanics and improve their future prospects. Accordingly, he has directed the chapter’s participation in Engineering and Science Connections in Culture (ESCC). Echeverria’s Through the efforts of community champiEngineering and Science Connections on Virginia Brax, the program is already generin Culture is already ating results among a group of Hispanic stubringing results to a dents who attend weekly tutoring sessions with group of Hispanic Washington University students and the SHPEstudents. STL board members. Mirroring a program from Machine Sciences in Boston, ESCC teaches students how to build electronic kits along with concepts of physics and mathematics. The program will culminate in a competition of autonomous robots at the St. Louis Science Center in March 2008. “Being president, I have learned the value of community through the connection to young engineers,” Echeverria explained. “We are not only members, but we also are somewhat like evangelists who preach the value of hard work, focus and reliance on oneself. As a SHPE member, I have come to realize that giving is satisfying and rewarding. Just knowing that a life may be channeled toward a brighter future is more than enough for me.” A senior electrical engineer with Anheuser-Busch, Marco Echeverria has been a member of SHPE for two years. REGION VII South Florida Rosaura De Zayas Prior to joining SHPE-SFL, Rosaura De Zayas was an event coordinator for SHPENYC. “My most outstanding achievement in SHPE was coordinating the first annual ski trip that joined three professional chapters from the tri-state area,” she recalled. “This event brought everyone from all over together and we were able to grow our SHPE family.” Drawing on the De Zayas is grateful to the Society for strength of the SHPE familia De Zayas, expanding her knowledge both in engineering plans to increase and professional development. “SHPE has mentoring for local provided me with a vast knowledge through the students. professional development seminars and conferences,” she said. “It has allowed me the opportunities to see the impact minorities have in numerous industries. Also, it has given me the opportunity to meet key influential people within the Hispanic community, which have given me great career advice.” Looking at the year ahead, SHPE-SFL will contribute to the STEM pipeline by mentoring students at the college level. “By building a strong relationship with the student chapters, we can help them realize the impact a professional organization has on their career,” De Zayas said. The chapter also hopes to build stronger relationships with local companies and co-sponsor trips with other chapters to foster the SHPE familia. Rosaura De Zayas, now a consultant, became a member of SHPE in 2005 while a biomedical engineering student at Florida International University. REGION VII Tampa Bay Area, Florida Gabriel Guerrero REGION VII North Carolina Felicia Soto As he takes the helm of a recently reinstated chapter, Gabriel Guerrero is working hard to create activities and events that will become a tradition for years to come. That includes strategies to encourage high school and middle school students toward advancing in their STEM education. Guererro’s SHPE leadership experience began at the University of South Florida, where Advancing STEM he served as treasurer, vice president and eveneducation among local students is key tually president. “What attracted me to this to Guerrero’s long organization is the encouragement to its memterm plan for the bers and all the resources available to succeed, recently reinstated lead and accomplish the goals and aspirations SHPE-Tampa. you have for yourself,” he said. During his tenure as student chapter president, SHPE-USF was recognized as Region VII Chapter of the Year and as a NPS Blue Chip Chapter. Guerrero continues to feel the benefits of SHPE training. “The quality leadership skills gathered from workshops, being exposed to the career fair/interviews and my experience being an officer has helped me in my professional life,” he said. “As a professional, it is important to portray a positive and encouraging image to your employers in order to successfully accomplish your duties.” He was also helped personally, adding, “Being involved with so many inspiring professionals and aspiring students really motivates you.” Gabriel Guerrero is a project engineer with Cardinal Contractors. His SHPE involvement began six years ago while earning a B.S. in civil engineering. For Felicia Soto, UM-SHPE opened up the doors of community service and leadership as well as the opportunity to give back and prepare for the challenges of developing a career in the corporate world. Soto is now working for IBM, and she credits her early-career success to her active participation in the Society. “SHPE has provided me with hands-on experience Soto’s chapter managing people and budgets, planning provides seminars that introduce North events and developing relationships with Carolina students local companies and organizations,” she said to engineering. “SHPE piloted the development of my soft skills portfolio.” In order to fill the STEM pipeline, SHPE-NC collaborates with the North Carolina Society of Hispanic Professionals, educating students on what it is like to be an engineer in the exciting world of science. The seminar includes hands-on activities where students get real life experience on common engineering challenges such as product design process, manufacturing, production, quality assurance, safety, resource utilization and intellectual property protection. It provides students with insight into the engineering profession as well as encouragement to finish school and pursue a STEM degree. According to Soto, “The most rewarding outcome of being actively involved in SHPE is the opportunity to serve my community and be a role model for students and professionals.” Felicia Soto is a test technical lead engineer with IBM. She holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Miami. I SHPE R Winter 2008 24
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