Launch the Society of Latinx Engineers and Scientist to Success
Help SOLES get to Nationals!
Who is SOLES?
The Society of Latinx Engineers and Scientists (SOLES) at UCLA is a student organization dedicated to bridging the gap between academic potential and industry leadership. We serve our members through technical projects and professional development while simultaneously delivering hands-on STEM mentorship to over 1,200+ local K-12 students and community college students. By fostering a culture of excellence and "paying it forward," we ensure that our engineers are not just building careers, but are actively uplifting the next generation of Latinx talent in Southern California.
The Opportunity
The cornerstone of our professional year is the SHPE National Convention. It brings together thousands of students, professionals, and recruiters. This conference serves as a space for our students to build their professional network, access internships and full-time opportunities, and most importantly, connect them with mentors who share similar backgrounds and experiences.
However, the cost of attendance makes this opportunity inaccessible for many of our members. The total cost to send a single student to Indianapolis is roughly $800:
We refuse to let financial constraints dictate the professional limits of our members. So with your support, SOLES can help send our members to the 2026 SHPE National Conference in Indianapolis!
Voices of SOLES: The Impact of SHPE Nationals
We know that $800 is a significant investment. But for our members, the return on that investment is life-changing. When you sponsor a student's trip to the SHPE National Convention, you aren't just paying for a flight and a hotel, you are launching careers, breaking generational barriers, and building lifelong support systems.
"My freshman year at SHPE Nationals, I was able to land an internship at RTX as an electrical engineering intern. That experience helped me land two more internships at Lockheed Martin and Microsoft. As a result of this, I will be starting full-time at Microsoft after college" - 4th-Year Computer Engineering Student
"SHPE Nationals gave me the opportunity to build lifelong connections, including meeting my mentor in Utah in 2023. As a first generation college student and the first engineer in my family, having a mentor who is always willing to answer questions and offer support means everything to me." - 4th-Year Civil Engineering Student
"Nationals helped me land my 1st internship at NG and that opportunity opened the doorway for me to gain real world experience in industry. It also shined light on how important conferences like Nationals are for STEM advocacy in the Latino community." 4th-Year Computer Science and Engineering Student
How to Help?
Your contribution directly helps cover conference registration, travel, and lodging for SOLES members. Every donation lowers the financial barrier for our students, where you directly provide our members with the proximity to top-tier recruiters and mentors. You are directly investing in a legacy of Latinx excellence in engineering. So help UCLA Engineering dominate the national stage in Indianapolis!
Double Your Impact
Many employers will match your donation to UCLA 1:1. Please check with your HR department or use the UCLA matching gift search tool to see if your gift can go twice as far for our students.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE UCLA FOUNDATION'S DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS FOR DONORS
Should this fund reach the campus minimum required for the establishment of an endowment or quasi-endowment, The UCLA Foundation reserves the right to convert this fund to an endowment or quasi-endowment. Please click here to learn more about how the UCLA Foundation invests and manages its endowments.
$5
Un Rayito de Sol
You support SOLES and our mission to empower Latinx students in STEM. Every gift strengthens our community. As a thank you, we will send you a digital thank-you card. (fully tax-deductible)
$50
Amigo/a del Solecito
You help fund professional development, outreach, and career-building opportunities for our members. As a thank you, we will send you a digital thank-you card along with a digital SOLES Group Photo. (fully tax-deductible)
$150
Hermano/a Mayor
You help provide safe lodging for a SOLES member attending SHPE Nationals in Indianapolis, giving them a place to rest and recharge. As a thank you, we will send a printable coloring page, along with all previous perks. (fully tax-deductible)
$350
Padrino/ Madrina
You cover one member registration for SHPE Nationals, granting access to the career fair, interviews, and professional sessions. As a thank you, we will send 3 digital wallpapers, alongside all previous perks. (fully tax-deductible)
$500
El/La Campeón(a)
You help cover a member lodging and flight to Indianapolis, removing key financial barriers to attendance. As a thank you, we will send you a digital testimonial, alongside all previous perks. (fully tax-deductible)
$800
La Leyenda
You fully sponsor one member's SHPE Nationals experience, including travel, housing, and registration. You create a life-changing opportunity for a future Latinx engineer. As a thank you, we will send you a digital booklet of handwritten testimonials, plus all previous perks. (fully tax-deductible)