SHPE - Winter 2008 - (Page 38) CONFERENCE 2007 Students Celebrate Success The success of student members is closely intertwined with satisfying SHPE’s mission, “To be the Source for Quality Hispanic Engineers and Technical Talent.” Seeking opportunities for academic, career and professional development, nearly 2,400 students attended the SHPE Conference. Many newcomers were energized as a result of being surrounded by so many Latinos also determined to complete degrees in engineering and technology. The conference also provided a forum to celebrate the individual accomplishments of students as well as what they’ve achieved on the local chapter level. Student Chapter Awards Each year the National Affairs Committee recognizes outstanding student chapters based on the End of Year Reports which all chapters are required to submit. Each report is evaluated on member participation and programs within five categories. The reports are also graded on professional presentation and adherence to guidelines. With tougher standards, SHPE has raised the bar for the chapters, in turn making the award more prestigious. When compared to chapters of similar size, the 2006-2007 National Outstanding Chapters of the Year received the best overall scores. Each received a $1,000 award with Most Improved Chapter winning $500 and regional winners receiving $700. SHPE’s Regional Student Representatives. Student Role Model George Kousaros received a $5,000 scholarship. Graduating seniors were honored during a special reception sponsored by Intel. Future Leadership Award Continuing a tradition started in 2004 by past National Student Representative Yuliana Porras, the Future Leadership Award gives the current SHPE National student representative the opportunity to recognize other student leaders that assist in accomplishing SHPE’s goals. Eric Rodriguez, New Mexico State University Jaime Flores, University of Texas at San Antonio Prior to becoming student chapter president, Rodriguez held various Even before Flores became student chapter president, he was constantexecutive positions with both SHPE-NMSU and Associated Students of ly trying to improve the status of his chapter. He has worked hard to take a NMSU. In addition to promoting SHPE and its benefits to freshmen and at chapter that was nonexistent last year to one that is expected to become recruiting booths, he works with other organizations to encourage students one of Region V’s most active and involved chapters this year. Flores’ to make the most of their college experiences. This dedication to and passion for the Society has has resulted in increased membership and a pronot only helped him achieve his goals but also jection of NMSU becoming the school with the has greatly contributed to helping the Region V highest number of members in Region III. SHPERSR reach his overall regional goals. This year, NMSU members are more involved on and off camhe increased the chapter’s conference pus, as Rodriquez has built a strong rapport with attendance by 90 percent, and some members other leaders in the region, particularly other New participated in the GRE/Grad Lab. In addition to Mexico schools. Rodriguez also served as one of establishing a new SHPE Jr. chapter, Flores is the key contacts for the March 2007 Regional also collaborating with MAES to promote Science Bowl held at NMSU, which was selected engineering in the community and encourage by the Department of Energy to host the event Future Leadership Award winners NMSU’s more Hispanics to pursue careers in engineeragain in 2008. Rodriguez’s ability to work well with Eric Rodriguez and UTSA Jaime Flore (center) ing and science. His dedication and willingness students and professionals and his initiative to get with NUR Morales (far left) and VNUR Ortiz to do what other people will not distinguishes (far right). others involved distinguishes him as a leader. Flores as a leader. SHPE R Winter 2008 38
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