SHPE Computer Training Is a Family Affair
Most of us take emailing and surfing the Internet for granted. But for some Tucsonans, working on a computer is about as familiar as walking on the moon.
The UA student chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, or SHPE, has been working for 15 years to change that, with La Familia, its annual free computer training workshops. The 2014 daylong event, designed primarily for older members of the community whose first language is not English, was held Oct. 25 on the UA campus.
“La Familia is about helping members of our community overcome their fear of technology and discover how computers can enrich their lives,” said Michelle Gutierrez, La Familia vice president and a junior engineering student. “Many attendees are middle-aged moms whose children have grown and now have time to pursue personal and professional interests. Increasingly, that means having to use a computer.”
La Familia is one reason the UA SHPE chapter recently won two prestigious awards at the national SHPE conference. (See sidebar at right.)
The La Familia attendees, nearly all Spanish-speaking, ranged in age from 30 to 80. For many, it was their first time on the UA campus. SHPE volunteer Dana Cordova, who earned his bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering in 2014 and works for Northrup Grumman, traveled from Sierra Vista, Ariz., with his mother, Debra Cordova-Paul, attending to learn Microsoft Excel. Several SHPE members’ aunts and a grandmother were also at the workshops.
Many of their questions were about basic things: how to turn on a computer, use a mouse or save a file. But this year, attendees’ questions reflected increased awareness of the power, and the risks, of the Internet.
“We received many more inquiries about firewalls, computer viruses, and the safety of online banking,” Gutierrez said.
More Family Ties
In opening remarks, James Valenzuela, who received his bachelor’s degree in systems and industrial engineering from the College of Engineering in 1992 and is now an operations senior industrial engineer at Raytheon, stressed that technology should be embraced, not feared. When he told his listeners that their smartphones were actually computers, many expressed surprise. His primary message: “Technology is your friend. Take advantage of it to improve your life.”
Valenzuela expressed his deep and personal connection to UA/SHPE, explaining that his late brother, John, had founded the chapter 30 years ago and was its first president. John left the College of Engineering to join the Tucson Police Department and was killed in the line of duty a year later. James subsequently enrolled in the College and became the chapter’s second president.
“Until I die, I feel it is my responsibility to carry on my brother’s legacy of increasing educational and professional opportunities for people in our community,” said Valenzuela, a motivational speaker and student mentor whose awards include the 2014 President’s Volunteer Service Award from U.S. President Barack Obama.
“SHPE students are part of my family. I am extremely proud to support this organization.”
Following additional comments from Gladys Amaya, who earned her bachelor’s degree in SIE in 2013 and is a construction manager at Intel, the attendees broke out for computer workshops in labs around campus.
From Email to eBay
Student volunteers led workshops in English and Spanish, on such topics as the basics of typing, how to use office software, how to set up an email account in Gmail, and how to use Google’s search engine to browse the Internet. This year’s program also included a professional workshop on how to prepare and post a résumé and search and apply for jobs online.
“La Familia is a wonderful example of our students’ dedication to community service,” said College of Engineering Dean Jeff Goldberg. “SHPE has led programs to inspire and educate the public on STEM topics for years. With La Familia, it empowers people at a more basic level, by teaching them the fundamentals of computers and the Internet -- and potentially transforming their lives.”
IBM has been a core supporter of La Familia and other UA/SHPE programs for years. Volunteers from the company included Michael Hernandez, who leads IBM community outreach at the University of Arizona Science and Technology Park; Wanda Ronquillo; Marilynn Franco, who received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 2005 and master’s degree in business administration from the UA Eller College of Management in 2012; and Carlo Saba, who earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration/management information systems from Eller College in 2007.
Other La Familia supporters include the UA College of Engineering; Associated Students of the University of Arizona; the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers; RISE Equipment and Recycling Center, which donated some computers that were raffled; and El Paso, Texas-based All Trades Electrical.
UA/SHPE has been honored for La Familia and its other programs, including Science Day and the Young Latina Forum, by the national Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. Some 15 UA chapter members attended the 2014 SHPE national conference in Detroit on Nov. 5-9.