Veronica Espinoza (2020 and 2023)  VE

Double alumna Veronica Espinoza had a love of STEM from an early age growing up in Sunland Park, NM. But it was her AP Chemistry teacher at St. Teresa High School, Alicia Stevens, who inspired her love of Chemistry, and her parents who encouraged her to pursue her education. “My parents were born in Mexico and they came to the U.S. for a better life for our family. They pushed my brother and me to get an education so we could have better opportunities. My Dad saw my love of STEM and encouraged me to pursue engineering.” 

Veronica originally started her Chemical Engineering B.S. degree at the Colorado School of Mines, but transferred to Tech after a visit to campus. She had always wanted to go to a smaller college and immediately noticed the tight-knit community on campus. “I loved the energy and vibe I got from Tech. I fell in love with it instantly. Culture is also incredibly important to me as a Hispanic woman, I liked that Tech was a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Being able to come to a campus where my friends speak Spanish provided a sense of belonging and allowed me to build lifelong relationships I am still nurturing even after graduating.”

While working toward her B.S. in Chemical Engineering (Class of 2020) and her M.E. in Mechanical Engineering, emphasis in Explosives, (Class of 2023), Veronica held multiple roles outside of the classroom. She started working in Dr. Michael Hargather’s lab as an undergraduate student investigating explosive product gas cloud evolution. Her graduate research focused on shock and detonation propagation through 2-dimensional  arrays of metal inclusions. Veronica also worked in the NMT Latin American Office helping to cultivate relationships between Tech and universities in Latin America. 

One of her most meaningful experiences, however, was serving on the NMT Board of Regents. Her then-advisor, Carlos Romero, encouraged and helped her to apply. She served for two terms - one as an undergraduate and one as a graduate student. “I loved being a Regent. All students want is answers and communication about what’s going on on campus. I served as that liaison and as a voice for my peers.”

When asked what she wants young women considering Tech or a path in STEM to learn from her, she says: “It is so much fun, and is also so important to come here and bring your ideas and your diversity. Joining any STEM field you should use your culture and identity, and bring your personal experiences to the table. That has a lot of weight.”

Since graduating, Veronica has taken a step back from engineering and now works for the Socorro County Options, Prevention, and Education (SCOPE) Health Council. “I’m working more in Public Health, nowadays. I wanted a break; all I ever did was engineering. This position opened up so I applied and fell in love with it. Some people may wonder what an engineer is doing at a non-profit, but I have passion for the work I do and that is key.” Her main role with SCOPE is as Harm Reduction Specialist and Data Analyst. She works with elementary and middle school students on Botvin Lifeskills Training, conflict resolution, as well as Sources of Strength - a social emotional learning curriculum. She also uses her STEM background to organize and lead after-school science programming. 

Outside of work, Veronica loves painting her nails - a hobby she picked up during the COVID-19 lockdown. “I also exercise a lot,” she says. “I’m trying to be more in tune with my health and what my body needs. In college you tend to forget about that.”  We miss Veronica on campus but we are proud of her and all the contributions she continues to make to our community of Socorro!