ISU SHPE
The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at Iowa State University was founded in 2003 with the purpose of providing academic support and professional development to Hispanic engineering students. In 2004, the founders discovered a similar organization in campus MAES (Mexican American Engineers and Scientists) and due to the strongly related missions and same target students, the organizations joined their resources to form a joint organization that was named SHPE/MAES. The organization has since then worked to develop a network of Hispanic STEM students at Iowa State University and to provide opportunities for the membership to grow professionally acquiring valuable resume experience along the way.
SHPE/MAES is now working to become more active in the community in order to provide opportunities for the members to develop themselves as professionals. The general body meetings are designed to expose our members to valuable information that will aid them as they set out to reach their goals. Activities done at the meetings include information sessions about career opportunities, time management, study skills, interviewing, and resume critique. These activities are hosted by invited guest speakers from the university faculty and companies. The organization provides opportunities of leadership development through the use of committees. Fundraising, Outreach and Recruitment, External Affairs, and Conference Committees are run by student members and overseen by the Executive Board. This gives members an opportunity to carry on a task using their own style of leadership and to learn how to become more efficient leaders. Over the past year, the organization has seen increased membership and improved administrative capabilities. The student chapter is now able to work on more long term projects and participating actively at the national stage. The Iowa State University Student Chapter was recognized at last year's Region 6 RLDC as the winner of the SHPE CUP Regional Round. The chapter successfully hosted its first "Noche de Ciencias" at Lincoln High School in Des Moines during Fall 2013. The chapter has also seen an increase in conference participation, sending 20 members to the 2013 SHPE National Conference in Indianapolis. Future goals for the chapter include establishing a SHPE Jr. Chapter, improving operational efficiency, and continue to provide professional and personal development for students. |