Vision Statement

SHPE is the largest Hispanic technical organization in the U.S. whose primary function is to enhance the potential of Hispanics in order to achieve excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

Mission Statement

"SHPE promotes the development of Hispanics in Engineering, Science and other Technical Professions to achieve academic excellence, economic opportunity and social equity."

Dallas - Fort Worth Professional Chapter History

The Dallas / Fort Worth Professional Chapter has celebrated its 25 year anniversary as the first professional chapter of SHPE. It was in 1981, that Richard Jimenez, SHPE President, officially recognized the Dallas / Fort Worth SHPE organization as the first ever Professional Chapter.

Fernando Laclette, an engineer for Rockwall International, joined SHPE in 1976 in southern California and became a member of the SHPE Board of Directors. Fernando was transferred to Dallas, Texas, in 1979, and soon experienced a longing for the association with SHPE. He spread the message of the mission and purpose of SHPE to his fellow Hispanic engineers at Rockwall International, and built a network with Hispanic engineers at General Dynamics in Fort Worth. Fernando Laclette, and co-founder Alberto Gutierrez, organized Hispanic engineers from Dallas and Fort Worth into a professional association, developed the constitution and bylaws, and petitioned SHPE to be recognized as the first ever Professional Chapter.

SHPE DFW was instrumental in setting up student chapters in Southern Methodist University (SMU), University of Oklahoma and University of Texas at Austin. For his outstanding contributions in the fields of engineering and science to the Hispanic community, Fernando Laclette was presented with the Jaime Oaxaca Award in 1986.

Today, SHPE DFW is continuing the legacy of SHPE by providing its members with professional development opportunities and fostering relationships with the student chapters at SMU, University of Texas at Arlington, University of North Texas and University of Texas at Dallas, as well as with new junior chapters in the area and our support of the SHPE AHETEMS Program. SHPE DFW promotes professional development through our participation in SHPE events and conferences like NILA, SHPE National and RLDC. SHPE DFW commemorated 25 years of contributions to the Hispanic community in December 2006.