Marines engage Latinos in Science and Engineering MAES Symposium

Photo By Cpl. Francisco Martinez | Capt. Matthew Ervine, Assistan Diversity Officer, Marine Corps Recruiting Command speaks with an ExxonMobil representative during the Industry Advisory Council meeting and partners breakfast, here, today. The mission of MAES is to promote, cultivate, and honor excellence in education among engineers and scientist of Latin American descent.  

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

10.18.2014

Story by Sgt. Erica Kirsop 

12th Marine Corps District

SAN DIEGO – Marines from across the nation participated in a three-day symposium celebrating Latinos in Science and Engineering (MAES) October 16 through 18 in San Diego.

MAES, founded in 1974, promotes honor and excellence in education among the Latino community in science and engineering fields.

Similar to the Marine Corps’ family-like inclusion of “Once a Marine Always a Marine,” MAES maintains the motto “Once in MAES, Always Familia.” This pursuit of excellence in higher education, leadership skillsets and family atmosphere aligns with the with the same values held by the Marine Corps Officer Program.

The Marine Corps’ participation in this event was designed to highlight not only the educational opportunities in the Corps but some of the intangible qualities like leadership development many corporations look for outside of the academic realm, explained Lt. Col. Brian Proctor, the assistant chief of staff for Diversity, Headquarters Marine Corps Recruiting Command.

Throughout the event Marines mentored MAES students on various projects including leadership and critical thinking workshops, networking opportunities, and creative advertising. They also provided information concerning science and engineering career opportunities available within the Marine Corps family.

“My favorite part of this event is that sense of familia held by every person you meet,” said Armando Martinez-Cantu, a member of the New Mexico State University MAES Chapter. “There is no end of a conversation when you meet each other. It just feels natural. All of the elders, other chapter members and organizations like [the Marines] come together to work and inspire each other. The Marine leader for our group mentored us and felt more like a friend on our project than a stranger joining in.”

For a few of the Marines participating this was their way of giving back to their “familia.”

“I was born and raised in San Diego, and the Hispanic community here is the same community I grew up with. [This partnership] gets me back in the community that raised me for all intents and purposes all the way up through college and lets me give back to them,” said Proctor. “We want to show them not only we appreciate what they are doing in the science and engineering fields, but there is a place for them within our organization as leaders.”

For more information on becoming a Marine Corps leader please visit Marines.com.

• Date Taken: 10.18.2014
• Date Posted: 10.20.2014 20:04
• Story ID: 145582
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US