Society of Hispanic Engineers Celebrates 20 Years, Prepares to Build on Success

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Back row, left to right: Clarissa Fuller, Roberto Quezada, Robert Blindauer and Jose Martinez; front row, left to right: Berenice Perea-Herrera, Fatima Treto, Claudia Mercado and Ashley Osorio; not pictured: Alexis Mercado, Alejandra Barroso and Bryan Zavaleta.

The Society of Hispanic Engineers is planning a 20th anniversary celebration to mark its founding as a registered student organization at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 21, in Bell Engineering Center room 2282.

Gerardo Gonzalez and Settha Sophabmixay, who established the Society of Hispanic Engineers in 1999 as first-year students, will both be in attendance.

According to its mission statement, the society changes lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support and development.

"Now more than ever, Hispanics are realizing that they have the potential to succeed in STEM fields and are becoming industry leaders," said Fatima Treto, a mechanical engineering senior and president of the society. "The University of Arkansas has been our home and given us the tools to be successful. SHPE has done the same."

The chapter has had many great accomplishments, including the 2018 and 2019 Most Improved SHPE Chapter in the Region. It also achieved national recognition in 2021 when Gustavo Garcia placed first in a design challenge. Most recently, the group was awarded a $5,000 grant to establish a continuous of Noche De Ciencias (Science Nights) in Springdale K-12 schools.

In addition to Treto, the society's current slate of officers includes Clarissa Fuller, vice president of communication; Roberto Quezada, vice president of internal affairs; Berenice Perea-Herrera, vice president of external affairs; and Robert Blindauer, vice president of finance.

Thomas "T.C." Carter, assistant dean for engineering academic and student affairs, has been the society's adviser since its creation.

"Through the years, we have had so many amazing student leaders come through SHPE and go on to remarkable careers," Carter said. "We have much to celebrate, and we look forward to building on this success for another 20 years."