July 1, 2020

Dear Members,

With everything going on in the world, from the growing movement for racial justice to the enormous toll of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pride Month felt a little different this year.

While the LGBTQ+ community continues to raise awareness and celebrate the progress that’s been made, these efforts are recognized as part of a larger struggle for equality. From criminal justice reform to the recent US Supreme Court decision making it illegal for employers to discriminate based on one’s sexual orientation, the changes we are seeing are a testament to collective action, working together towards a common goal. Our organizations—SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers); and oSTEM (Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)—are proud to stand in solidarity with those on the front lines of that change.

SHPE and oSTEM are united in a steadfast commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity—in all its forms. Over the last three years, we’ve worked together including the creation of the LGBTQ+ Track at the SHPE National Convention.

Our commitment to equity is not the only thing that we share; in their own ways, our respective members have experienced the awful realities of discrimination and harassment. Whether it’s a first-generation Hispanic-American who cannot get a job because of where she was born or a transgender scientist unfairly passed over for a tenure-track position, these experiences are doubled for members who belong to both communities. The struggles may be different, but the impacts—psychological, social, economic, and otherwise—can be similarly devastating.

Evidence of those struggles are reflected in our respective lack of representation in STEM. According to the Pew Research Center, Hispanics occupy a mere 7% of all STEM jobs—despite being 16% of the overall population. Similarly, according to a 2018 article in the journal Nature, LGBTQ+ humans are 17-21% *less* represented in STEM fields than expected.

Yet as history has shown time and again, when traditionally marginalized people come together for a common cause, great change is possible. This is why it is so important that our organizations continue to collaborate—to advocate for greater inclusion across the STEM spectrum, from corporate America to academia.

Taken together, the intersectional identities that encompass our organizations provide a window into a possible future. A future where our communities are central to reshaping America. This work has started but we cannot lose our momentum. Now more than ever, we must continue to move forward—together.

Fifty years ago, this week, members of New York’s LGBTQ+ community came together in remembrance of the Stonewall Riots. At the center of that uprising were Black and Brown gender expansive individuals. Their legacy lives on today as June is globally recognized as Pride Month. Yet, the demonstrations taking place in our cities and towns serve as a reminder that the struggle for equality is not over.

With the recent end of Pride Month, we acknowledge how far we have come and how far we still have to go. Every Pride Month going forward, we must honor the sacrifices of those who came before. We recommit to the work of creating a world that celebrates you as you are, together.

Sincerely,

Lilian Martinez, Executive Director & CEO, oSTEM

Raquel Tamez, CEO, SHPE

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SHPE Partners with ReadyOne Industries to Offer Branded Face Mask and Bio Face Covers to Members with Profits Donated to the ALL-IN Student Relief Fund

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing need for personal protective equipment, SHPE engaged ReadyOne Industries in El Paso, Texas to create SHPE-branded ReadyOne protected by Livinguard® Face Masks and Bio Face Covers for sale in the SHPE Mercado. All profits will be donated to the ALL-IN Student Relief Fund to support student members impacted by the coronavirus.

The ReadyOne protected by Livinguard® Face Mask is made of patented technology has the ability to destroy microorganisms upon contact, including bacteria and viruses, and to do so continuously and permanently. Unlike alternative metal-based solutions, Livinguard’s technology has been found to be nontoxic to both skin and lungs. The mask can be worn for seven days before washing and can be worn for 210 days while maintaining protective properties.

The Bio Face Cover with adjustable comfort earloop is made of a patented antimicrobial/antiviral fabric. It re-charges with every wash using EPA-registered chlorine bleach and is durable for at least 75 launderings. Both masks are imprinted with the SHPE logo.

“Twenty six percent of adults in the U.S. have some type of disability and the impact of the global pandemic is magnified within this vulnerable community. That’s why it is so important to me to work with ReadyOne on this initiative,” says CEO Raquel Tamez. “Many members of our Hispanic Community, including SHPE members, are essential and in need of protective equipment like the ReadyOne protected by Livinguard® N95 masks. This is an opportunity to fill that need while also supporting a company that employs a large percentage of individuals with disabilities.”

ReadyOne Industries is a nonprofit agency and part of the U.S. AbilityOne Program whose mission is to create employment opportunities for persons with significant disabilities (PWSD). Seventy-five percent of ReadyOne’s workforce consists of resilient, hardworking persons with significant disabilities as well as service – or combat-disabled veterans. All products produced at ReadyOne Industries are proudly made in the USA. President and CEO Luis Alvarez stated, “We are pleased and honored to work together with SHPE on this vital initiative. We share a mutual goal to enhance the lives of others, now and in the future. Masks may become a part of our everyday existence and we are grateful to be in a position to assist with this need.”

Masks are available for purchase now at shpe.org/mercado.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 5, 2020

City of Industry, California — The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) was launched in 1974 to change lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its full potential and to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support, and development. As an organization that advocates for diversity and inclusion, and to give a voice to an under-represented community, it’s our responsibility to stand up and fight injustice to our brothers and sisters of color.

We are outraged by the violent deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and the countless victims of systemic racism and brutality against the Black community that has persisted for centuries. To echo the words of National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Board Chair Jocelyn Jackson, these are “all victims of a shameful legacy of hate” and they deserve justice. In solidarity, we must stand up and demand justice. We demand an end to the senseless deadly violence against Black Americans. We demand that our country do better to combat systemic racism. Black lives matter.

SHPE remains focused on our core mission and vision as an organization. However, as part of our call to fight systemic racism, we are committed to make change happen from within SHPE. To that end, we have committed to the following:

• To publicly support and be allies to the Black community.
• To organize cultural awareness training for our community to cover topics like intersectionality, colorism, and bias.
• To encourage members who identify as Afro-Latinx to share their experiences and offer ideas on how we can be more supportive.
• To work together with other sister organizations to shape and disseminate public statements of solidarity; to create action plans that lift the underserved and underrepresented in STEM fields.
• To facilitate a series of member dialogues around the topics of cultural awareness, bias, and understanding.
• To listen to our members’ inspirations and ideas about how to improve.

Also, as a founding member of the 50K Coalition in 2015, along with the National Society of Black Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers, and the American-Indian Science and Engineering Society, SHPE has committed to working collectively to increase the numbers of engineering graduates from underrepresented populations to 50,000 by 2025.

The SHPE values have never meant more than they do right now. As we grieve the death of George Floyd and the protests that followed, we look again to our values to guide our response and behavior. Familia means that we take responsibility for our collective strength and challenge each other to be our best. Service means we commit the highest levels of quality, integrity, and ethical behavior; and we act with empathy, patience, and understanding. Education means we are dedicated to continuous improvement and renewal; and we learn from successes, setbacks, and each other. And Resilience means we embrace our diverse cultures and communities, which enable us to adapt, thrive, and persist with optimism.

We embrace these values now more than ever. And we will use them to guide our actions in the days and months ahead as we commit to being an ally to the Black community in the fight for justice and equality.

———

ABOUT SHPE

SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) is a nonprofit organization serving and advancing Hispanics in STEM. With more than 13,000 student and professional members, SHPE’s mission is to change lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support, and development. To accomplish this, SHPE provides a variety of programming, services, resources, and events, including hosting the largest Hispanic STEM convention in the nation. For more information, visit http://shpe.org.

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Dear SHPE Familia,

The team at SHPE National continues to monitor the rapidly changing environment surrounding COVID-19. Our number one priority is to do our part to help ensure the safety and well-being of SHPE members, volunteer leaders, partners, and staff.

As you may know, late last week we were compelled, in light of the totality of the circumstances, to cancel our four remaining Regional Leadership Development Conferences (i.e., RLDCs 1, 2, 6 and 7). All other SHPE National meetings and planned trips were also cancelled. Please rest assured that we are exploring all feasible options to minimize the adverse impact of these cancellations. Please also know that planning for NILA 2020 and Convention 2020 continues in full force, albeit remotely and virtually; and we are ready to pivot if new developments related to the corona virus warrant.

For now, and with the health and safety of our entire SHPE community top of mind for us here at SHPE National, we ask that you please follow these recommendations:

1. Familia (Members, Volunteer Leaders, Partners, Staff) – Please read the CDC’s latest COVID-19 guidelines. On March 15th, the CDC announced that any event of 50+ attendees should be canceled for eight weeks. And just yesterday, President Trump suggested all Americans should avoid gathering in groups more than 10 people to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

2. Student Chapters – Please follow your university/college guidelines and act in accordance. Rely on the input of your chapter advisor or feel free to reach out to the Membership Department at [email protected] if you have questions or need support. We encourage your chapter to stay connected by holding virtual meetings, chat groups, and via any other creative and innovative but safe ways you may have identified to communicate.

3. Professional Chapters – Please cancel or postpone all scheduled events at least until the end of April and in accordance with CDC guidelines. As previously note for the student chapters, we encourage your chapter to stay connected by holding virtual meetings, chat groups, and any other creative and innovative but safe ways you may have identified to communicate.

4. SHPE Programs or Events – All in-person, SHPE-related programs and events coordinated and facilitated by SHPE chapters, whether student or professional, should be cancelled until the end of April and in accordance with CDC guidelines.

Here’s an article from UCToday.com with some useful information about free options for staying connected: COVID-19: Ultimate Guide to Free Video Conferencing & Collaboration .

SHPE’s National Office is fully operational. Staff is tele-working from their respective home offices and have all necessary communication tools and technologies to continue to serve and support you. As previously noted, staff is halting all non-essential travel for the remainder of March.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will continue to communicate any changes to the information and guidance herein. As your CEO, I pledge to lead SHPE through these challenging times and know that our fierce resilience as a Familia will make us stronger moving forward.

Namaste,

Raquel Tamez
CEO

Dear Familia,

The SHPE National team has been closely evaluating the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on our community and has done a thorough assessment of the situation as it relates to the upcoming Regional Leadership Development Conferences (RLDC) in Regions 1, 2, 6, and 7 .

Having carefully considered the situation, including recommendations by the CDC, confirmed cases in the areas around the events, university and corporate travel restrictions, and the desire to keep our Familia healthy, we have decided to cancel all four remaining RLDCs.

We are currently exploring options for virtual conferences and other ways we can lessen the impact of this cancellation on the members in those regions.

RLDC 1, 2, 6, and 7 Registrants: Details will be shared as soon as reasonable about alternatives and/or refund options.

RLDC 1, 2, 6, and 7 Sponsors: You will hear from our Sales team directly as soon as reasonable about next steps forward.

One of SHPE’s core values is resilience – the ability to survive and thrive through unpredictable, changing, and potentially unfavorable events – and we want to thank all of you for living this value during this challenging time.

We will continue to communicate as we have more to share about RLDCs or any other SHPE events. In the meantime, we hope you and your loved ones will stay informed and stay healthy.

Sincerely,

Raquel Tamez
CEO

Miguel Alemañy
Board Chair

P.S. We urge you to continue to use the CDC as your primary source of information about the virus: Go here

SHPE Partners with Intel® Corporation to Increase Hispanic Scholarship Opportunities

Los Angeles, CA –SHPE: Leading Hispanics in STEM has received an Intel sponsorship to fund 25 Intel SHPE Scholars. Intel is providing the largest SHPE scholar sponsorship than any other partner, to date. The Intel SHPE scholarships will be awarded to students pursuing Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral degrees in the disciplines of Computer Engineering, Computer Science, and Electrical Engineering.

“We are so grateful and enthusiastic about this transformational gift from Intel, and for the incredible partnership we’ve forged with them over the many years through our Industry Partnership Council,” said Raquel Tamez, SHPE’s CEO. “The mission of SHPE is to empower Hispanics in STEM, whether we’re talking about students looking to enter a STEM field or established professionals determined to make that next career leap. We look forward to our ongoing collaboration with Intel as we continue to build the pipeline of exceptional STEM talent –together.”

Not only will the Intel-funded scholarships provide financial support, but also exposure to Intel job opportunities, networking with fellow scholars, insight into Intel research, training opportunities, and access to Intel mentors, the donation will also support student attendee stipends to SHPE’s 2020 National Convention in Denver, Colorado.

“We truly believe that diversity is key to Intel’s evolution and is a driving force for continued innovation and growth across the technology industry. We are proud to partner with SHPE and support college students in their education and professional careers,” said Barbara Whye, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer and VP of Human Resources at Intel.

For more information about the ScholarSHPE program and how to apply for these Intel-sponsored scholarships, please visit our ScholarSHPE page or contact [email protected].

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We are keenly aware of the growing concerns about the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19). Because we take seriously the health and safety of our Familia, we wanted to reach out to let you know that these concerns are top of mind for us, especially in the midst of the ongoing Regional Leadership Development Conferences (RLDC).

We want to reassure you that the upcoming RLDCs in Newark, Atlanta, Batavia, Los Angeles, and San Jose are going on as planned. We are looking now at what precautions we can take to ensure everyone remains healthy at these events, and if there are options we can offer for anyone who is on restricted travel and unable to attend.

In the meantime, we hope you will take precautions as directed by the Center for Disease Control. For up-to-date information about Covid-19, please visit the CDC website. .

There is no urgent risk at this time and we ask that you remain calm, but vigilant, as we monitor ongoing developments. We will be in touch if there are any changes, or anything more to share, about RLDCs 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7.

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You can watch the interviews here:

Raquel Tamez:

Miguel Alemany:

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Members of the Penn State Society of Hispanic Professional Engineering at the 2019 SHPE National Convention in Phoenix, held Oct. 30 to Nov. 3. IMAGE: PROVIDED BY HELEN EDSON