ABOUT SHPE The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) National was founded in 1973 in Los Angeles, California, by Rodrigo "Rod" Garcia and a group of engineers employed by the city of Los Angeles. In 1974, SHPE was officially incorporated. Their objective was to determine how they could contribute to diversifying the STEM field, which then grew to a national organization of professional engineers serving as role models in the Hispanic community.
SHPE Oregon: Fostering Diversity and Empowerment since 2006 Founded in 2006 by Trinidad Campos (President), Emilio Cañas (Treasurer), and Jose Garcia (Vice President), SHPE Oregon began with a gathering in the Beaverton library. These founders recognized a lack of diversity initiatives and created Oregon’s first support structure dedicated to providing mentorship, resources, and community engagement for Hispanic engineers. Their efforts also contributed to the nationally recognized 4-H Tech Wizards model, which was highlighted as a "Bright Spot in Hispanic Education" by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics at the inaugural LatinoFest in 2015. Since then, SHPE Oregon has continued to carry forward its mission with initiatives like the first SHPE Region 1 Leadership Development Conference (RLDC) held in 2016 and again in 2022. SHPE Oregon remains a key partner in the community, collaborating with organizations such as the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and the Technology Association of Oregon (TOA). Our chapter actively engages with the Oregon community through events like Día de Muertos in Vancouver, OMSI activities, and Día del Niño celebrations, further expanding our reach across industry and academia. Today, SHPE Oregon is one of nearly 78 professional chapters across the United States, known for its networking efforts with industry, support for K-12 education, and partnerships with university chapters. In recognition of its outstanding achievements and dedication, SHPE Oregon was honored as the Chapter of the Year by SHPE National in 2024. Learn more about SHPE by visiting SHPE History Timeline 1973-2020. |
