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Texas A&M University’s Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers members celebrate receiving the National Large Chapter of the Year Award. | Image: Kristina Ballard/Texas A&M Engineering

In November of this year, Texas A&M University’s chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, or SHPE, received the National Large Chapter of the Year Award.

“The overwhelming amount of support and opportunities I found by being involved have helped me learn how to succeed both in school and post-graduation,” said SHPE member Anais Baca ‘21.

SHPE is a nationally recognized organization where Hispanic engineers come together and build interpersonal relationships with alumni, current students, and companies. This year, Texas A&M University’s chapter received the large chapter award, which marks the second time they have received it since 2019. The award acknowledges the hard work and leadership of members, officers and educators, and the diversity in members of the Hispanic community in the Texas A&M College of Engineering.

“As a first-generation Latina engineering student, I have seen firsthand how having a diverse student body is essential to succeeding in both the academic and professional world,” Baca said.

This news comes after Texas A&M was recognized as a Hispanic serving institution by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.

“The members that make up the organization never cease to amaze me and are always there to lend a helping hand,” said Joshua Duarte, president of SHPE. “When members talk about the organization, they bring up this idea of ‘familia,’ and to be completely honest, that’s exactly what it is. SHPE has brought me my closest friends and people I can count on regardless of what is happening.”

The organization has helped students through all aspects of life, in and outside the classroom. SHPE hosts numerous events that encourage members to expose themselves to professional and leadership development, service, mental health, and outreach.

The conventions themselves allow students to challenge themselves with professional and academic development through team-building competitions, workshops with professionals working within the field, and networking with members, educators, and business representatives.

“My favorite memory in SHPE would have to be competing in the Extreme Engineering Competition at the 2018 SHPE Convention, where I stayed up a full 24 hours to design and create a prototype for an innovative piece of furniture,” said Anais. “Not only was I able to discover my leadership style, but I got to network with nine other SHPE members across the nation.”

Texas A&M’s chapter of SHPE hosted the annual Leadership Development Conference that could not have been possible without the joint effort of the entire SHPE team.

“As a senior mechanical engineering major, my experience at (Texas A&M) has been nothing short of amazing,” Duarte said. “The memories and friendships I have made along the way are sure to stay with me throughout my lifetime.”