Hispanics Continue To Make STEM Strides
Innovative Hispanics are making inroads in business as science, technology, engineering and math and giving back.
In the Latin Business Today article entitled “The Visionary” we profiled Irving Wladawsky-Berger one our nation’s most respected technology evangelists and mentors and Cuban émigré. In 2001 Wladawsky-Berger was the recipient of the Hispanic Engineer of the Year award but he considers time spent helping Hispanic students and business people to be his most significant and far-reaching achievement. While a vice president at IBM, he participated in IBM’s Hispanic leadership program, where he helped encourage technology adoption among businesses within the Latin community.
The article continues: These days, he continues to contribute time and expertise to encouraging Latinos to pursue careers in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math). “Whenever I can, when I travel, I try to meet with local Latin groups, just to offer encouragement,” he says. “I tell young people: “Don’t let anything stand in your way. For the most part, it’s all inside you. Yes, there are times when there is overt discrimination, or overt forces against you. But that’s happening less and less.”
Wladawsky-Berger says more opportunities have opened up for young Hispanics and Hispanic business owners than when he first started out in the early 1970s. “I speak with an accent, and that’s okay. IBM has always been so supportive of diversity, and I think the country tilts more that way.”
Wladawsky-Berger was quick to recognize the opportunities that came his way as his career progressed. While his accomplishments contributed to dramatic developments in information technology, he points out that the economy and society are undergoing an upheaval.
In keeping with Latin Business Today’s commitment to mentorship and innovation we’re pleased to spotlight the following announcement by the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers who identified the top STEM Contributors this years STAR Award winners of 2012.
The STAR Awards
The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) recognized this year’s recipients of the STAR Awards, who are key contributors within the Hispanic community in science, technology, math and engineering (STEM).
Both individuals and corporations were identified nationally for “dedication, commitment and selfless efforts to the growth and advancement of Hispanic students and professionals pursuing STEM careers”. These individuals received awards in several categories including outstanding college students, industry professionals and public and private corporations.
