Individual Nomination

University Of Texas At El Paso, El Paso TX

Investigators

Abstract

BENJAMIN C. FLORES University of Texas at El Paso Dr. Benjamin Flores has, over the course of 18 years of service, sustained effective mentoring and guidance efforts that have significantly enhanced the participation of underrepresented groups in STEM disciplines. He serves as an exemplary leader in the national effort to develop a fully diversified workforce. Dr. Flores has been a dedicated counselor and guide for the local student chapters of the Institute of Electrical and Computer Engineers, the Electrical Engineering Honor Society, the Engineering Honor Society, the National Society of Black Engineers, the American Society for Engineering Education, the Society of Women in Engineers, and the Mexican Student Association. In this capacity, he has worked tirelessly to organize and expose scores of engineering student leaders to professional development activities. Under Dr. Flores' leadership, Academic Center for Engineers and Scientists has expanded to serve an average of 900 students per day and has provided employment on campus to more than 200 students. Dr. Flores is also responsible for implementing the Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) program, which provided support to 250 undergraduate female students. Through WiSE, Dr. Flores developed activities that reached out and promoted STEM careers to more than 300 middle school girls and their parents. In addition, Dr. Flores directed the first centralized undergraduate STEM research program on campus which supported 303 undergraduate students between 1996 and 2003. The program is now recognized nationwide as a highly successful model for Hispanic student retention, graduation and recruiting into graduate school. Currently, Dr. Flores directs the University of Texas System Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Dr. Flores has played a principal role in developing a robust mentoring and support model for under-represented minority student success. He has published numerous refereed conference articles that advance the understanding of student mentoring and guidance and has offered dozens of key note speeches in the United States, Mexico, and Chile, promoting access to education and student success through role models. He has collaborated with institutions in Texas and with several minority serving institutions throughout the United States on promoting the transformation of STEM education.