Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at ASU is top chapter of the year
November 26, 2008
The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at Arizona State University (SHPE de ASU) has been recognized by SHPE’s national leadership with both the Regional Outstanding Chapter Award and the National Chapter of the Year Award for 2008.
SHPE de ASU is a student chapter that seeks to foster a sense of community among Hispanic engineering students at ASU, and to increase the number of university graduates and promote role models among members of their community.
The ASU chapter currently has about 70 members. There are more than 7,000 members in 306 student and professional chapters nationwide.
Awards were presented in November at the SHPE 2008 National Conference in Phoenix by the SHPE board of directors, which oversees chapters in seven regions throughout the United States.
The honors recognize the significant impact of efforts by SHPE at ASU both nationally and in the local community.
“I’m proud of our chapter’s accomplishments. The National Chapter of the Year award is a great honor,” said ASU chapter president Luz Osuna, a junior industrial engineering major. “This award gives us extra motivation to keep working hard to create events that keep our members involved and make a positive impact in the community.”
SHPE de ASU recently took on the role of hosting the organization’s Regional Leadership Development Conference for Region II, which required presentation of rigorous case studies that demonstrated chapter development and efforts to strengthen leadership.
Members worked to boost chapter enrollment and participation, and to bolster the sense of community that the organization was founded on.
Chapters are evaluated for award eligibility based on the four “pillars” of SHPE National: professional development, leadership development, scholastic development, and outreach and community service.
SHPE de ASU has teamed with nonprofit organizations throughout the greater Phoenix area to aid the local community, working with groups such as Together We Paint, which helps maintain homes for elderly and low-income Arizona families.
The chapter also has helped the Habitat for Humanity West Valley Mission Center raise funds for low-income families, and mentored a SHPE junior chapter at Tolleson High School as the younger students participated in a national robotics competition.
“We’re excited to have been honored with this award and plan to continue our efforts in the years to come,” said Magdalina Medina, a junior industrial engineering major. Medina is SHPE de ASU vice president in charge of developing relationships with corporations.
SHPE de ASU was founded in 1982 by five ASU students, including current chapter advisor Manuel Aroz. He is now director of Academic Achievement in the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering Office of Academic and Students Affairs.
“The SHPE de ASU chapter is very deserving of these two awards,” Aroz said. “It’s amazing the work they have done in terms of professional development, recruitment, retention and community service.”
For more information about SHPE de ASU and its goals, visit the chapter website at http://www.shpedeasu.net
