Julia Ruiz
Co-President
Major: Computer Science
Year: Senior
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Ethnicity: Mexican
Why did you join SHPE: I joined SHPE because coming from a very cultural area of LA and a high school with mostly people who looked like me, I was worried that I would lose that sense of belonging and familia when I came to Syracuse. Also, being a minority in STEM has been a whole other obstacle to tackle, but I saw SHPE as a great source to keep me motivated and empowered to continue in STEM.
Karen Herrera
Co-President
Major: Computer Science
Year: Senior
Hometown: New York City
Ethnicity: Mexican
Why did you join SHPE: I joined SHPE to find a community with people who come from a similar background as me in my major.
Marlene Lara-Torres
Vice President
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Architecture
Year: Junior
Hometown: McAllen, TX
Ethnicity: Mexican
Why did you join SHPE: I joined SHPE to meet other people with similar cultural backgrounds as me and who are passionate about their studies. I come from South Texas which has a primarily Hispanic population, so I have always felt close to my roots. I was worried that moving so far away would have me feeling lost but joining a club where everyone embraces their heritage has helped me a lot in college both socially and academically.
Luis Santin
Secretary
Major: Electrical Engineering
Year: Senior
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Ethnicity: Hispanic/Latino
Why did you join SHPE: I joined SHPE because I was encouraged to meet new people who shared similar cultural, academic, and ambitious backgrounds. There is a need to promote STEM and promoting it to the Hispanic/Latin community is a necessity. I believe that this mission emulates the values that I am striving to embody day in and day out.
Miguel Cruz
Co-Treasurer
Major: Computer Science
Year: Junior
Hometown: Queens, NY
Ethnicity: Mexican
Why did you join SHPE: Being a first-gen student made it difficult to adjust to Syracuse. Joining SHPE made me feel welcomed on campus as I had found myself in a community who shared a similar background and situation as me. I joined SHPE to not only surround myself with students who share similar interests as me but to also develop my professional network. Additionally, I want to make other first-gen or students from underrepresented countries majoring in STEM feel welcomed on campus.
Hennecys Perez Castro
Co-Treasurer
Major: Environmental Engineering
Year: Junior
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Ethnicity: Hispanic/Latino
Why did you join SHPE: I joined SHPE to create opportunities for undergraduate students by making conferences, internships, and even full time jobs more attainable and accessible. I want to support those who are struggling with financial security and a lack of resources to become a role model for those facing socioeconomic challenges.
Aaron Shinn
Communications Coordinator
Major: Civil Engineering
Year: Junior
Hometown: Seaford, NY
Ethnicity: Hispanic, Japanese
Why did I join SHPE: I joined SHPE because it prepares me for my professional future and helps manage the countless obstacles of college life. Being exposed to helpful opportunities through this organization has also led me to strive for a greater leadership role that I hope can provide the same impact for others. Most importantly, the organization serves as a supportive and reliable family on campus.
Samantha Esparza
Communications Co-Chair
Major: Chemical Engineering
Year: Senior
Hometown: Washington, D.C
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 Social Media Director. 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 for my final year!
Christopher Prestia
Communications Co-Chair
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Year: Junior
Hometown: Yonkers, NY
Ethnicity: Colombian, Italian, and British
Why did you join SHPE: I want to contribute more to an organization that promotes STEM to a population that doesn’t receive as much representation in STEM-related industries and simultaneously, surround myself with people of a similar background and work ethic.
Kelly Diaz
Events Director
Major: Civil Engineering
Year: Junior
Hometown: White Plains, NY
Ethnicity: Mexican
Why did you join SHPE: I joined SHPE because I wanted to find a place on campus where I could be able to grow professionally and socially comfortable. I’ve met so many amazing people and can’t wait to meet many more!
Shaila Cuellar
Social Media Director
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Year: Junior
Hometown: East Harlem, New York
Why did you join SHPE: I wanted to become a part of SHPE to join a community of people who share similar backgrounds and have similar interests as me. I joined because I know it is made up of individuals who are representing our roots in the engineering industry, as well as becoming part of a family that would offer me long-lasting connections.
Anderson Fuentes
SHPE Jr. Director Co-Chair
Major: English Education and Textual Studies
Year: Junior
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Ethnicity: Peruvian
Why did you join SHPE: While I’m not an engineering major, I’ve been teaching STEM classes at Kipp Academy Boston though my Generation Teach Teaching Fellowship for the last two summers. The more I looked into the traditional science curriculums I could inspire my lesson plans from, the more dissatisfied I got seeing the lack of diversity, equity, and the erasure of Hispanic and minorities in the engineering field, science, academia ,and research. This made me want to find a place where I can advocate and work with the POC youth and highlight and create a spotlight where kids can discover their love for engineering and learning alike; SPHE gives me the community, resources, and passion needed to foster restorative practices to increase the Hispanic population in the STEM field. I’m very out of my element, but life begins at the end of your comfort zone, and I can’t wait to see what will come this year!
Fabio Candelario
SHPE Jr. Director Co-Chair
Major: Information Management Technology
Year: Junior
Hometown: Washington Heights, NY
Why did you join SHPE: I joined SHPE in an effort to connect with others who share my fervent interest in STEM education and to find a community of like-minded people. My interest in the position stems from my desire to encourage young minorities to pursue professions in engineering and related fields in a fun and engaging manner, similar to what I experienced when I was younger.
Juliana Sepulveda
Fundraising Director
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Year: Junior
Hometown: Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
Why did you join SHPE: I joined SHPE because I wanted a sense of community, specifically within my major. Everyone was very welcoming and accepting from the beginning, which greatly aided my transition into college. I wanted to be part of this community and provide that same help and support to someone else.