MSOE’s Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) attended the 2025 SHPE National Convention in Philadelphia where they attended professional development workshops, networked with industry leaders, built relationships with companies and other SHPE chapters, explored local hot spots and won the Rising Águilas Award.

“Attending the SHPE National Convention was an incredible experience for our entire board,” said Adrian Rubio Reyes, MSOE SHPE president. “We dedicated our time to grow professionally, connect with industry leaders and learn how to better serve our SHPE chapter and community.”

A total of 10 students from MSOE attended the convention along with Edith Hernandez, coordinator of campus inclusion cohort programs. The group participated in a variety of professional development workshops that focused on topics such as AI and its future, being Latina in STEM, financial literacy and navigating college as a first-generation student.

“One of the biggest lessons we took away from the convention was the importance of seeking feedback, not only when searching for internships, but also when trying to grow as leaders and individuals,” said Reyes. “Every conversation with professionals offered guidance that pushed us to reflect, develop and continue improving ourselves and skills.”

The group valued connecting with peers from other universities as well as professionals who came from similar backgrounds.

“For many of us, coming from underrepresented communities means we haven’t always seen people who look like us in the roles we aspire to. Opportunities like the SHPE National Convention empower first-generation minority students by showing that we belong in these spaces. When you meet professionals with similar backgrounds who have succeeded in industry, it opens your eyes to what is possible. Events like this are more than conferences—they are life-changing moments of empowerment and visibility.”

MSOE was recognized at the conference with the Rising Águilas Award, which is an award that celebrates the dedication and hard work the team has poured into growing and uplifting their SHPE familia at MSOE. “As a board, we never do this work for recognition or awards; we do it because we genuinely care about our community and want to give our members the opportunities many of us never had. When our chapter’s name was called, we felt a mix of pride, gratitude and disbelief. It was a powerful reminder that our efforts are making a difference.”

In addition to growing professionally, the students also enjoyed bonding with their group. And, of course, no trip to Philadelphia is complete without a Philly cheesesteak, running the Rocky steps, visiting the President’s House site (home to Presidents George Washington and John Adams) and Benjamin Franklin’s resting place. “These moments helped us bond as a team and reminded us that our work is not just about leadership, it’s about community, friendship and shared goals.”

At MSOE, SHPE continues to work on expanding their network by collaborating with other universities, strengthening their leadership pipeline and building mentorship opportunities for underclassmen. They also plan to deepen their impact in the Milwaukee community by working with local high schools to inspire future STEM leaders. Stay up to date with SHPE events by following their journey on Instagram @msoe.shpe.