Mission

SHPE is the Source for Quality Hispanic Engineers and Technical Talent.

Statement of Values

We are brought together by heritage, social responsibility and desire to improve the equality of all people through the use of science and technology. We value excellence in education, professional pursuits and leadership. We obtain excellence through integrity, empowerment, achievement, diversity and continuous improvement.

Vision

SHPE is the leading social-technical organization whose primary function is to enhance and achieve the potential of Hispanics in engineering, math and science.

Strategic Focus Areas

We will fulfill our mission by increasing educational opportunities, promoting professional and personal growth, carry out our social responsibility to be involved in education, business and government issues and enhancing pride within our organization and reinforcing our reputation as a vital Hispanic organization.

Our History

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Interest in forming a Virginia Tech student chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers was begun by a graduate student in Engineering Science and Mechanics, Frederick Just. As a requirement for the Charles E. Minor Fellowship, Fred decided that he could best serve the minority engineering community by initiating a SHPE chapter. Under the guidance of the Office of Minority Engineering Programs' (OMEP's) Director, Dr. Bevlee Watford, he received literature from SHPE National and organized an interest meeting in October of 1995. At this first meeting, three students were elected to serve as leaders of the group. Through the dedication of those leaders, the group became an officially registered student organization at Virginia Tech in January of 1996.

Over the next few months, the newly elected President, Monique Jackson, devoted hours of hard work to develop a chapter constitution. By contacting regional and national officers, she gathered as much information as possible to assist with the formation of a new chapter. She consulted Dr. Watford and other minority organizations, in addition to obtaining information from the Leadership and Student Organization Programs office. After receiving the new student chapter packet from national, another election was held to fill open positions on the executive board. Using all the information gathered, Monique drafted a chapter constitution that was reviewed and ratified in March. As a result of the joint efforts of the new executive board, the National Board of Directors of SHPE, Inc. approved our chapter constitution on June 29, 1996 and welcomed us into the National SHPE familia.

Being a newly formed SHPE chapter, one of our main goals is to make everyone aware of our organization, that includes the students and faculty at Virginia Tech, as well as professional organizations and corporations nationwide. We are very enthused about our chapter and excited to be a part of the national organization. Our members hope to be active in both regional and national events. Membership is open to all students, graduate and undergraduate, and we encourage faculty and staff to support our organization.

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VT Chapter Structure

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SHPE National Structure