Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers – Kansas City was founded in 2014. It is the local chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), which was founded in 1974 in Los Angeles, California. The organization’s goals include increasing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) awareness in the Hispanic community. This includes making families cognizant of the opportunities for their children in STEM fields, providing information and guidance on navigating college applications and financial aid forms, and raising scholarship funds for Hispanic students who attend college.

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers – Kansas City coordinates with sponsors and donors to host fundraisers such as the annual Noche de Ciencias (Night of Science). The organization was the largest donor to the 2022 Hispanic Development Fund (HDF) Cambio Para Cambio (Change for Change) Campaign in the professional category. Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers – Kansas City has recently more than doubled its chapter membership, and received the 2021-2022 Region 6 Booster Award from SHPE. As Moses Pacheco, chapter president, noted, “Our members are leaders in their respective technical fields, vice presidents of corporations, business owners, and executive members on various educational, professional, and community boards.” The benefits of membership include enhanced options for networking and professional development. The organization is seeking volunteers – who need not be either Hispanic nor engineers – who are interested in serving on committees for upcoming events, including Noche de Ciencias and the HDF Cambio Para Cambio fundraiser. In addition, assistance is welcomed in the creation of a SHPEtinas subchapter in Our Town. For more information, go to shpekc.org.                 

Featured in the September 30, 2023 issue of The Independent.