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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New book, endorsed by Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, profiles successful Latino engineers to inspire young math, science students

ST. LOUIS – Latinos are the fastest growing population group in the United States but comprise only 3 percent of the nation’s scientists and engineers. That’s according to the National Center for Education Statistics and it is not good news, given a growing need for U.S. engineering and other math and science expertise and innovation in the increasingly competitive global marketplace.

To address the need for more Hispanics in engineering, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) is endorsing the new book ¡Ay Mijo! Why Do You Want To Be An Engineer? as a way to get the word out to young people about the benefits of pursuing a career in the field.

SHPE will launch distribution of the book, which is part of a 12-part series by Edna Campos Gravenhorst of St. Louis, on Feb. 20 at The University of Missouri – St. Louis. Ms. Gravenhorst, will sign copies of her book at the Millenium Student Center.

Ay Mijo (which means “my son” in Spanish) tells the stories of 12 Hispanic men who overcame challenges to become successful engineers today. Gravenhorst, illustrator Sunny Santos and featured engineers, including Romeo Perez with ExxonMobil, Luis Pisano with Distribution Control Systems and David Launa with Shell Oil Company, are scheduled to read from selections of the book.

As the source for quality Hispanic engineers and technical talent, SHPE is helping promote Ay Mijo to increase awareness among Hispanic students about the opportunities found in engineering and the scholarships and other resources available to them. A portion of proceeds from the sale of Ay Mijo will benefit the scholarship program of the Advancing Hispanic Excellence in Technology, Engineering, Math and Science (AHETEMS) Foundation of SHPE.

“Many studies have shown what we at SHPE see all too often: not enough Hispanic men are excelling in or graduating from high school or applying to college,” said Manuel Hernandez, vice president of SHPE’s national board of directors, chairman of AHETEMS and one of the engineers profiled in Ay Mijo.

“By participating in the release of Ay Mijo, we can introduce young men to role models who have realized their dreams through an education and career in engineering. The true stories of our own people can be the very best motivation toward success and personal satisfaction in life, and I’m honored that my own story is in this book,” Hernandez said.

Each of the 12 books will cover math, science, engineering and technology, and targets either Hispanic young men or women. The first book, ¡Ay Mija! Why Do You Want to Be An Engineer? was released in the summer of 2006 and profiled successful Hispanic female engineers.

¡Ay Mijo! Why Do You Want To Be An Engineer? is available at www.shpe.org and www.aymija.com.

The Need for Outreach

In 2005, according to the National Science Foundation, 7 percent (or 27,000) of the total undergraduate engineering enrollment was Hispanic males. Meanwhile, the total number of U.S. engineering jobs has increased significantly since 1994, and Hispanics now are one of the largest underrepresented ethnic groups in the United States.

About SHPE

SHPE, Inc. is the source for quality Hispanic engineers and technical talent, committed to enhancing America’s position in math, science, engineering and technology with a strong and talented Hispanic workforce. SHPE provides its membership of students and professionals with increased educational opportunities, professional and personal growth, and involvement in education, business and government issues.

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