1973
Humble Beginnings
Frustrated by a lack of both career opportunities and professional support for Hispanic engineers, Rodrigo T. (Rod) Garcia, a member of the Los Angeles City Employees Chicano Association, held a meeting in his garage in East Los Angeles to discuss creating a new advocacy organization. The group discussed ways to boost minority representation in STEM, and shared their vision for improving Hispanic employment prospects. The conversation that took place there inspired the founding of SHPE.

SHPE’s original officers included (from left to right): Rodrigo Garcia, Americo Garza, George Esquer, Alex Vidaurrazga, and Andres Santamaria.
Credit: SHPE Magazine
Rod Garcia tells the story of SHPE