Help the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers reach their goal!

The year was 1974. Rodrigo “Rod” Garcia, a civil engineer in Los Angeles, recognized a critical issue: in one of the most diverse cities in the country, Hispanic professionals remained severely underrepresented in engineering. Determined to create change, Rod gathered fellow engineers to brainstorm how to open doors for future generations of Hispanic talent. That meeting, held in his garage, marked the beginning of what would become the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE).

What started as a grassroots effort has grown into a national organization with more than 13,000 members and over 300 collegiate and professional chapters. SHPE’s mission remains as urgent and relevant as ever: to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM by removing barriers and empowering underrepresented communities to thrive.

At SHPE at UT Dallas, we are proud to carry this legacy forward. As one of the most engaged STEM organizations on campus, we provide mentorship, professional development, networking opportunities and community outreach programs. Our members come from a variety of majors and backgrounds, united by a shared commitment to personal and professional growth.

One of the most impactful opportunities we offer is attendance at the SHPE National Convention, a multi-day experience where students participate in career development workshops, connect with top companies and engage with a nationwide network of professionals. Many attendees secure internships or full-time job offers, gaining invaluable insight and confidence along the way.

Yet for many of our students, attending the convention is financially out of reach. The total cost per student — including airfare, accommodations, registration and professional attire — averages around $1,000. In past years, corporate sponsorships and university support helped cover these expenses. Recently, however, we've faced increasing difficulty securing funding, often due to implicit bias tied to the word “Hispanic” in our name, despite our chapter’s excellence and proven impact.

We are launching this campaign with a fundraising goal of $5,000, which will enable us to sponsor at least five students to attend this year’s convention in Philadelphia. All funds raised will go directly toward covering students’ travel, lodging, registration and professional clothing. Meeting this goal ensures that students can fully participate in this transformative experience without financial burden. Any additional funds raised will help reimburse students who’ve already paid out of pocket and support future development opportunities throughout the year.

This campaign is about more than covering travel costs, it’s about equity and access. Many of our members are first-generation college students, navigating the professional world without established networks or resources. The SHPE National Convention provides them with tools, connections and experiences that can open doors otherwise closed to them.

Our members return from the convention with more than resumes and business cards. They bring back renewed purpose, leadership skills and a strong connection to a supportive community. They go on to serve as mentors, student leaders and advocates for inclusion — not just on campus, but across industries.

SHPE at UTD is committed to cultivating a culture of excellence and belonging in STEM. Our work is grounded in the core values of community, service, education and resilience. While our name highlights our focus on the Hispanic community, we welcome anyone who shares our mission and drive.

We invite you to support this mission. Your contribution helps ensure that underrepresented students not only pursue careers in STEM, but excel in them and inspire others to do the same.

SHPE National Website: www.shpe.org 

SHPE at UTD Website: https://utdshpe.org/ 

Instagram @shpeutd: https://www.instagram.com/shpeutd/ 

SHPE at UTD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shpe-at-utd/