BOARD MEMBERS

My name is Nianza Delfin and I am a fourth year Mechanical Engineering, first-gen student in Warren College. I am from South San Diego. Aside from academics and SHPE I enjoy anything and everything Disney, photography, coffee, and spending time with my family.

This year, as the President, I am working on behind the scenes logistics, supporting our board members, and serving as the representative for our SHPE chapter. This year I hope to facilitate opportunities for our members and create a large sense of familia where all feel welcome, continuing to empower aspiring engineers.

SHPE is one big familia who supports each other, and I feel fortunate to have found them early on in my academic journey. Joining SHPE has helped me in my academic, personal, and professional skills which I can continue to use throughout my life. Not only have I found a supportive environment that feels like home, but I have also created amazing memories and connections that I will continue to create and cherish.

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My name is Andrea Ortiz Lopez, and I'm currently a second year structural engineering student at Muir College. I'm from Oceanside, California, and I have a love for creative hobbies. I enjoy crocheting, painting, and crafting jewelry from beads and clay.

As Vice President Internal (VPI) I serve as the Coordinator for Cross-Collaboration and Record Keeping. My primary responsibilities include fostering partnerships with other organizations, maintaining organized records, attending meetings of other committees, and providing support to the President and Vice President of Programming when required.

I joined SHPE because it embodies hope, belonging, and empowerment for Hispanics in the engineering field. SHPE is a supportive community that showcases our potential in engineering, regardless of our backgrounds. Within SHPE, I've found a place where I truly belong, a space to share experiences and receive unwavering support. It's a close-knit family offering guidance and a strong network. In the engineering world, SHPE provides a safe environment where my voice is valued. It's a platform that empowers us with resources and opportunities. In essence, I joined SHPE because it represents the hope, community, and opportunities that Hispanics in engineering need to excel.

Hi my name is Alfonso Lazo-Cazares but everyone calls me Poncho, I am a third year Structural Engineering major with a focus on civil structures. I am from Moreno Valley California and Culiacan Sinaloa con mucho orgullo. I hope to use my degree to give back to the people who got me where I am and have always pushed me forward.

A few of my interests include guitar, horses, and cars. I also serve as "architect" on the main team for UCSD's design build team which competes in the annual mock design build competition in Reno, California.

As this years Vice President of Finance I hope to manage and allocate funds in a more sustainable manner. I hope to be able to put SHPE in a better situation financially and overall hope to provide funding to all our great events hosted by our wonderful board. Always here for anyone who may need help on anything and hope to meet many more amazing people through SHPE.

Hey y’all! My name is Amy Lucas and I am a third year majoring in Structural Engineering with a focus sequence in Aerospace. I am a first generation student from Santa Clarita, CA as well as a Residential Assistant at Seventh College here at UC San Diego. My interests include listening to music, soccer, journaling, and making Pinterest boards. 

My position in SHPE is Public Relations. At UC San Diego I am in charge of handling how SHPE at UCSD is portrayed by the public in a student and professional aspect. I am in charge of the digital platforms such as: this website, and social media accounts. I am also in charge of creating the flyers we use for our events.

To me, SHPE means a community with representation and passion. Being in the engineering field can be difficult, especially with little diversity. SHPE brought me a community where there is constant support and amazing friendships. I was able to find a familia here at college due to SHPE. I am always reminded of why I am pursing a higher education, whenever I am involved with SHPE.

Hello! I’m Mariana Gomez and I am a second-year Chemical Engineering Major. I look forward to being on board for SHPE this year! A little bit about me is that I’m an LA native and I love to read, go to the beach, and explore San Diego when I can!

As SHPE Jr. Rep, I will be leading the freshman committee and facilitating the mentorSHPE program. Both are meant to provide support and a safe space for the freshman class. I will also be planning events for local SHPE Jr. Chapters!

I joined SHPE because it is very easy to feel underrepresented as a first-generation Latina in Engineering. By joining SHPE, I was able to find a community of peers where I felt that I belonged and could relate to. Through SHPE, I have been able to meet so many amazing people who inspire and support me in achieving any personal, academic, and professional goals I have.

My name is Joshua Yanes and I am a second year aerospace engineer at Warren college. I don't have to may fun facts about me but the first one that comes to mind is that for some random reason I was voted best hair in high school . I will be one of the co -academic chair at SHPE this year. The co-academic position gives me and my partner a chance to create a community within SHPE for studying as well as a place to go whenever you anyone has any problems, doesn't have to be academic. The reason I joined SHPE was mainly to find a community within UCSD but once I started to be more involved the reason I stayed was the impact and opportunities SHPE offers.

Hello, I am Ariele Campos, currently in my second year, majoring in Structural Engineering, and minoring in Real Estate Development at Seventh College. I take pride in being a first-generation student from Oceanside, California. Beyond my involvement with SHPE and academics, I spend most of my time managing my nail business, going to the gym, reading, listening to podcasts, and going on Starbucks and TJ Maxx trips.

As Co-Academic Chair, alongside Josh, we strive to provide academic support to SHPE members. This support includes sharing scholarship opportunities, access to tutoring services, and professional and career development to members. We have plans in motion to organize study jams and workshops, fostering a collaborative environment where students can support one another and succeed academically.

My journey with SHPE started during my junior year of high school, as I took on the role of Vice President within the Junior chapter. As a first-generation college student and a Latina aspiring to excel in the field of engineering, SHPE has allowed me to find a familia at UCSD. SHPE has had a big impact in my personal and professional development throughout the years, such as, providing me with many opportunities that have contributed to my pursuit of a future career as an Engineer.

Hello everyone, my name is Diana Gonzalez! I’m a third year Structural Engineering major in John Muir College. I am a first generation student from Santa Ana, CA. While being a board member for SHPE, I am also a House Advisor at UCSD. My interests include spending time with my family and friends, building legos, going to the gym, listening to music, and watching sunsets/stargazing.

My position in SHPE this year is Youth Outreach Chair. I’m responsible for organizing outreach events within the communities of San Diego. This includes coordinating interactive events with Monarch School, Logan Memorial Educational Campus, and City of Angels Children’s Project in Tijuana. I am passionate about introducing the STEM field to students in underrepresented communities while also inspiring and motivating them to pursue higher education. I want them to know that they are capable of great things and we will always be there to support them.

To me SHPE means familia and community. This org became a supportive space for me ever since my first meeting freshman year and has given me many memories and opportunities ever since. We are a familia that pushes each other to reach our goals, grow as individuals, and we like to see each other succeed. And not only does it create a community for students at UCSD but it also allows me to create a community within the cities of San Diego. I am grateful to be on board for this academic school year and I hope to see you at our meetings!

Hello! My name is Alberto Cerezo and I am a third year Electrical Engineering major with an interest in circuits and systems. I’m from the San Fernando Valley near Los Angeles. I enjoy trying new things, particularly discovering new music (my favorite music is rock and metal with additions from many other genres) and restaurants to try out with my friends and family. I am this year’s General Outreach Chair which means I am responsible for helping my fellow Outreach Chairs with logistics as well as leading my own volunteering event every quarter. This event allows members from our community to give their time to travel to Tijuana, México to lead a day of science/engineering experiments for disaffected children. We also gather as many essentials as we can to donate to them along with small, individual gift bags for the kids. The reason I joined SHPE was the sense of family I felt immediately when I went to the first social of the year. The friends and memories I made are unforgettable and I look forward to discovering the new things that this year will bring.

Hi! My name is Yanitza, I am a third year cognitive behavioral neuroscience major. A fun fact about me is my Myers-Briggs personality type is INFJ. I am so thrilled to be social chair and plan all our monthly events as well as ways we will be getting to know each other.

Hi, my name is Adolfo Rios and I am 3rd Year Structural Engineering Major planning on doing the aerospace focus sequence.

As the Empower chair I plan on getting as many high schools and middle schools to attend our EMPOWER event. Not just San Diego but hopefully from outside of San Diego as well. Creating an opportunity for families to get an understanding of what life could be for their children entering college.

I joined SHPE because it was a community I wanted to be a part of where I was able to be myself while still being able to find opportunities for my future as an Engineer. Now being part of the board I hope to welcome incoming students as well as motivate students from 8-12 grade to pursue a career in STEM.

My name is Brandon Lopez. I'm a 3rd year mechanical engineering student from Warren College. I grew up in Jalisco, Mexico in a rural town which was the first community to show me that we all need support from each other and having a big familia can help first generation students like myself to embrace the challenges college puts in front us but with the right attitude and a supporting community like SHPE can make the journey of college a more pleasant one. My position in SHPE is Event Coordinator which is a new position where I will be assisting all of the members regarding book reservations and tabling or catering as well.

Hey, Familia! My name is Omar Perez and I am SHPE at UCSD's Technical Chair for the 2023-24 academic year! I am a third year Mechanical Engineering student with a minor in Business Economics originally from Tijuana, Baja California.

As SHPE's Technical Chair, the technical committee and I will be working hard towards providing the Familia at UCSD with a wide range of knowledge and skill building events! These include Technical Workshops, working in Project Teams, and participating in the yearly competition REACh.

I decided to join SHPE due to the immense value the organization gives to community. The members of this organization truly live up to the Familia name, offering each other support, ideas, and opportunities that will lead us towards completing our personal goals while working together in achieving common growth as students, engineers, and individuals.

Buenos dias mi gente <3 My name is Audria Montalvo and I’m a 4th year studying bioinformatics (biology x computer science). I have worked with the computer science department as a mentor and tutor for SPIS (“summer bridge”) , PACE (year long), and cse8A (Intro to Python). I help out in the DEI committee as well, with the goal of creating a more inclusive community. Fun fact, my hair was bright pink my second year. I'm excited and super thankful to serve as the SHPEtinas Director this year. My goal is to continue the efforts past SHPEtina directors have put in to help us Latinas in STEM be empowered. I'm looking into collaborating with other resource centers on campus and other organizations in order to help us all network further and to learn about great opportunities on campus. I joined SHPE because coming to UCSD was a big culture shock and at SHPE I felt seen <3