In 1974, Rodrigo “Rod” Garcia and a cohort of Hispanic engineers formed the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. Today, SHPE serves more than 13,000 members across 280+ college and university chapters with a primary function to provide academic development, professional development, leadership development, chapter development, community outreach, and opportunities to all students, regardless of race or degree program.
The SHPE chapter at the Missouri University of Science and Technology was established on February 27, 1992. Twenty-eight students and a faculty advisor, Dr. Mariane Trujillo, founded this chapter through the Student Life Department at the University of Missouri-Rolla, which became Missouri University of Science and Technology on January 1, 2008.
SHPE’s mission is to change lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize their fullest potential and impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support and development.