In 2021 we welcomed new corporate sponsors to our ScholarSHPE program. These include major industry players such as 3M, Avangrid, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Stanley, Black, & Decker, Triumph Group, among others. They join our already impressive list of longtime partners, which include – API, Apple, Chevron, Eaton, Intel, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Spectrum, Toyota, and Raytheon Technologies. Together they provided more support to our SHPE members than ever before. A total of $1.3M+ was granted to over 200 recipients for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Our ScholarSHPE program also welcomed its first endowment this year. Board Members, Dr. Emily Allen, Will Davis, and Diana Gomez, established the Pride Scholarship to make a difference for those who find themselves at the intersection of LGBTQ and Hispanic identities. “This is a chance to support a community of students within SHPE that are dear to my heart, are often marginalized, but deserve to be recognized and celebrated,” said Dr. Emily Allen. The fund has already raised over $5,000 in additional contributions from individual members.

Since 2019, the Helen Cuesta Fund has supported female students who demonstrate the ability to overcome life’s obstacles. This year, National Convention committee member, Juan Valentin from the USPTO SHPE Chapter, launched a creative “Telenovela” fundraiser, and raised over $5,000 specifically for this cause.

We also launched a Financial Literacy course for ScholarSHPE winners. All recipients were required to complete 10 fiscally focused courses that included topics such as budgeting, student loan repayment, and retirement planning. Over 150 SHPE scholars have completed this training so far, improving the financial well being of our SHPE Familia and greater Hispanic community.

In a year like 2021, our continued commitment to supporting our students financially is firmly in place. We are so thankful for the collective and individual efforts that raised money for ScholarSHPE. These beneficiaries are the future of STEM. We are proud to continue to give them the monetary support they need—and the educational foundation they deserve.