50 Stories for 50 Years | Story #44: Serafín Fernández – Engineering Educational Spaces for Community Empowerment

SHPE Out Loud: Leading Hispanics in STEM

In the 44th episode of our “50 Stories for 50 Years” series, we spotlight the inspiring journey of Serafín Fernández, a civil engineer and dedicated SHPE member whose career exemplifies community advocacy and the transformative power of education.

From immigrating to the United States at the age of eight and growing up in East Chicago, Indiana, Serafín became the first in his family to graduate from college. His story is filled with determination, passion, and a deep commitment to uplifting Latino communities. Serafín shares how he combined his engineering expertise with his desire to serve by building state-of-the-art schools in predominantly Latino neighborhoods.

In this episode, he discusses the challenges he faced as a student, the pivotal moments that shaped his career, and the importance of engaging the community in creating welcoming educational spaces. He also reflects on his involvement with SHPE—from his days as a student member at Purdue University to serving as national president—and how it has influenced his journey.

Tune in to hear Serafín’s remarkable story and discover valuable insights for aspiring engineers, community advocates, and anyone seeking inspiration. Don’t miss this motivating conversation as part of our “50 Stories for 50 Years” series!

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