Meet the Team

Steven Perez

President

  • Major: Civil Engineering
  • Year: Senior
  • Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
  • Ethnicity: Mexican

Why did you join SHPE: SHPE has always been a second family to me ever sense freshman year when I first joined as Freshmen representative. I wanted to return on E-Board because it is important to me to continue my strong relationship with SHPE by contributing and collaborating with other members. As I work my way up in the organization, I have a stronger desire to elevate those with similar goals and cultures as me.

Gianmarco Pretto

Vice President

  • Major: Computer Science
  • Year: Senior
  • Hometown: Miami, FL
  • Ethnicity: Panamanian

Why did you join SHPE: I joined SHPE because one they approached me, but also cause it was an opportunity to not only find a Hispanic community in a PWI but also ones that work in the same or similar fields as me. So I was able to find a community and friends through SHPE.

Daniel Ticio

Secretary

  • Major: Chemical Engineering
  • Year: Senior
  • Hometown: Syracuse, NY
  • Ethnicity: Spanish

Why did you join SHPE: I originally joined SHPE to meet other students in engineering and make connections with upperclassmen, and I kept coming because of the community I found and the friends I made.

Hernan Quinde

Co-Treasurer

  • Major: Computer Science
  • Year: Senior
  • Hometown: Westchester, NY
  • Ethnicity: Ecuadorian

Why did you join SHPE: I joined SHPE because I wanted to be around people who have similar goals while also sharing similar cultures. In addition, I was introduced to SHPE by a friend and felt welcomed, appreciated and motivated to help elevate those around me, especially underrepresented communities similar to ours.

Andy Rivera

Co-Treasurer

  • Major: Computer Science
  • Year: Junior
  • Hometown: Glen Cove, NY
  • Ethnicity: Ecuadorian

Why I joined SHPE: I wanted to be surrounded by latinos, and meet upperclassmen who can give me advice and pointers.

Selene Tecla

Communications Coordinator

  • Major: Electrical Engineering
  • Year: Junior
  • Hometown: Newark, NJ
  • Ethnicity: Mexican

Why did you join SHPE: I joined SHPE to meet other Latinos in my major, which led me later joining MentorSHPE. I met my mentor Luis who was getting his masters in EE, and he was very helpful to me which makes me want to be a mentor next year!

Maya Alva

Communications Coordinator

  • Major: Aerospace Engineering
  • Year: Junior
  • Hometown: Woodland Park, NJ
  • Ethnicity: Peruvian

Why did you join SHPE: I joined SHPE to find a sense of community within a field in which the Latino population is largely underrepresented. I wanted to connect with me engineers that I could relate to on a level of culture and mutual understanding, and I found friendships and a space that I can truly be myself within.

Mikel Aizpurua

Event Director

  • Major: Mechanical Engineering
  • Year: Junior
  • Hometown: Miami, FL
  • Ethnicity: Spanish and Mexican

Why did you join SHPE: I joined SHPE to meet other Latino students in engineering and make friends so that I could have more familiar faces in my classes.

Jae Nicasio

Social Media Director

  • Major: Computer Science
  • Year: Junior
  • Hometown: Washington Heights, NY
  • Ethnicity: Dominican

Why did you join SHPE: I joined SHPE to participate in something that is larger than myself and to expand my network with people who have similar experiences and interests as me.

Mia Luna

Fundraising Coordinator

  • Major: Electrical Engineering
  • Year: Sophomore
  • Hometown: Brooklyn, NJ
  • Ethnicity: Mexican

Why did you join SHPE: I joined SHPE to meet other people like me in engineering. Having people from the same background as me can really make me feel at home in Syracuse. As well as having people to get advice from. Looking forward to a great 4 years!

Manuel Villa

Fundraising Coordinator

  • Major: Mechanical Engineering
  • Year: Sophomore
  • Hometown: Bronx, NY
  • Ethnicity: Mexican

Why did you join SHPE: I joined SHPE because I wanted more exposure in the industry with other Hispanics. Being able to relate to other Hispanic engineers with similar yet different backgrounds was something I looked forward to.

Naiara Almodovar

Community Outreach Director

  • Major: Applied Data Science
  • Year: Junior
  • Hometown: Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
  • Ethnicity: Puerto Rican

Why did you join SHPE: I joined SHPE because I wanted to find a community away from home.

Joaquin Valcarce

Community Outreach Director

  • Major: Chemical Engineering
  • Year: Sophomore
  • Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Ethnicity: Argentinian

Why did you join SHPE: I joined SHPE because it’s a great way to make connections on campus.