GM Promotes Science, Tech, Engineering & Math Careers at Annual SHPE Event

Automaker was ‘Visionary Sponsor’ of 40th Anniversary Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Conference in Detroit

General Motors encouraged Hispanic students to pursue engineering careers with the automaker as it welcomed the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) at its annual conference in Detroit this past November.

With more than 400 chapters nationally, SHPE is the premier organization aimed at empowering Latinos to realize their fullest potential and impact the world through science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) awareness, access, support and development. GM was 2014’s Visionary Sponsor of the autumn conference, which is the largest annual STEM event in the country focused on the Hispanic community.As part of that role, GM brand Chevrolet donated a 2014 Chevy Spark to be raffled in in support of the goal to raise more than $250,000 for the SHPE Foundation.

“In GM we have a committed partner that is helping us empower the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential,” said Barry Cordero, Interim CEO of SHPE. “GM has embraced the values of our ‘SHPE-familia,’ joining students, sponsors and supporters of SHPE and all those Hispanics in STEM across the country who share common goals and dreams.”

The four-day conference attracted more than 5,000 engineering professionals, students and corporate representatives to Detroit for unique program workshops, featured guest speakers, award ceremonies, technical competitions and a Career Fair and Graduate School Expo. The conference places the automotive industry front and center before the fastest-growing segment of the population, pointing young students to opportunities that can help propel the industry and positively impact Detroit. It’s also a great opportunity for companies to recruit top talent from SHPE membership and provides educational, technical and career opportunities for professional and student engineers, something of which GM hopes to take advantage as a Visionary Sponsor.

“GM wants to be the employer of choice for Hispanic engineers and this conference is a great opportunity to strengthen our relationship with this important community,” said GM President, Dan Ammann.

At the previous year’s SHPE conference, GM was named Company of the Year for its effort to advance STEM education in the Hispanic community and for enhancing the achievements of its Hispanic employees. GM deployed 40 employees to recruit top talent at the SHPE Career Fair that year, resulting in the hiring of 26 Hispanic engineers; these new employees are lovingly referred to as “SHPE-mates,” a term that unites these young people as part of a new generation of talent at the company.

Furthermore, GM leverages its partnerships with key Hispanic organizations to engage with Hispanic talent around the country each year. One of these is Great Minds in STEM™ (GMiS) which recognized Grace Lieblein, GM vice president, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain, as the 2014 Engineer of the Year during the 26th Annual HENAAC (Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Corporation) Conference.

“At GM, our workforce thrives on diversity,” said Ken Barrett, GM chief diversity officer. “Our goal is to continue to create opportunities for Hispanics and others to take their performance to the next level with careers that fit their skills and ignite their passion.”

This article is presented by Jack Maxton Chevrolet in Worthington, Ohio.

Vehicle Profile: 2015 Chevrolet Camaro

Lots of choices, all good

The 2015 Chevrolet Camaro covers a lot of bases. It’s a powerful and sporty coupe, a handsome convertible, and even a high-performance sports car. The 2015 Camaro line, available here at Jack Maxton Chevrolet in Worthington, Ohio, offers sophisticated performance and technology, plus lots of choice, which means you’ll find one that’s right for you.

 

The 2015 Camaro (MSRP from $23,705) brings show-car styling to the street, and it’s fresh off a 2014 nip and tuck that updated the front and rear fascias. It’s a look that’s helped make it the best-selling car in its segment for the last four years. Every Camaro is strong, starting with the LS and LT trims and their standard 323-hp 3.6-liter V6, continuing through the 426-hp 6.2-liter V8-equipped SS models, and topping out with the track-terror Z/28––an exclusive coupe with a 505-hp 7.0-liter LS7 V8 and a race-ready configuration––and the stunning 580-hp ZL1. Fully-independent suspensions provide exceptional control and confidence, with precise handling and carefully-tuned ride characteristics that are matched to the mission of the model you choose.

 

The value-packed Camaro 1LS Coupe offers exciting performance and responsive handling that belie its modest sticker. The direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 delivers 323 hp and 278 lb/ft of torque, and the EPA estimates fuel economy at 28 mpg highway. Standard feature highlights include 18-inch silver-painted aluminum wheels, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, dual-outlet stainless steel exhaust with polished tips, a six-speaker CD/MP3/SiriusXM Satellite Radio audio system, steering-wheel audio controls, a tilting/telescoping steering column, Driver Information Center with compass, Bluetooth hands-free phone, two auxiliary power outlets, OnStar with six months of Directions & Connections services and two years of factory scheduled maintenance.

 

The Camaro 2LS Coupe replaces the Aisin^® six-speed manual transmission standard in the 1LS with a six-speed automatic transmission with TAPshift manual control. The automatic is combined with a 2.92:1 rear axle ratio, which contributes to highway fuel economy EPA-estimated at 30 mpg.

 

Available in both coupe and convertible form, the Camaro 1LT comes with Sport Cloth seats, projector foglamps, six-way power-adjustable front seats and the Chevrolet MyLink audio system with USB connectivity. MyLink uses a seven-inch color touch-screen for easy control of audio and communications, and it pairs with your smartphone to wirelessly stream audio through apps like Stitcher and Pandora. The six-speed manual transmission is standard, or you can choose the six-speed TAPshift automatic, which includes remote vehicle start in LT, SS and ZL1 models.

 

Also available for LT trims are the RS and Rear Vision packages. The RS Appearance Package adds 20-inch aluminum wheels, High-Intensity Discharge headlamps, and LED taillamps. The Rear Vision Package makes maneuvering easy thanks to its Rear Vision Camera and Rear Park Assist system, which includes ultrasonic sensors and audible warnings to both sense and warn you of obstacles behind you.

 

The Camaro 2LT includes standard 19-inch aluminum wheels, leather seating, a color heads-up display, a quartet of auxiliary gauges, a color Driver Information Center, the Rear Vision Package and a premium Boston Acoustics audio system.

 

Serious adrenaline comes with the Camaro SS models, which are also available in both coupe and convertible body styles. The 1SS is where you’ll find a 6.2-liter small-block V8 pumping out 426 hp and 420 lb/ft of torque, paired with either a Tremec^® six-speed manual transmission with Launch Control or a six-speed TAPshift automatic. The Camaro 1SS rides on 20-inch wheels and carries four-piston Brembo brake calipers. A limited-slip rear differential maximizes traction and keeps you moving forward. The front and rear fascias are exclusive to the SS trim, and the seats feature model-specific embroidery.

 

The Camaro 2SS enhances the SS experience with leather seating and the rest of the 2LT amenities.

 

The most technologically advanced Camaro ever and one of the fastest production cars available, the 2015 ZL1 (coupe or convertible) clobbers the road with 580 hp and 556 lb/ft of torque from a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine. It’s how you get a Camaro to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. The standard ZL1-specific Tremec TR606 six-speed manual transmission with Launch Control is optimized for the increased torque load, or you can choose a six-speed automatic instead. In the ZL1, the Magnetic Ride Control damping system can adjust up to 1,000 times per second, and it includes “Tour,” “Sport” and “Track” settings that give drivers a wide range of choice in ride characteristics – everything from plush cruising comfort to track-specific firmness. Brembo performance fixed six-piston front brake calipers and four-piston rears are standard, and the 20-inch forged aluminum wheels are strong, light and painted black for a look that packs extra menace. Inside the 2015 ZL1 you’ll find heated front seats, leather and sueded microfiber upholstery, a heads-up display, a color driver information center, remote start (with available automatic transmission) and the Rear Vision Package. It even comes with a five-year/100,000-mile Powertrain/Drivetrain Limited Warranty

 

The ZL1 isn’t the only high-performance Camaro. Bringing another iconic model designation back, the 2015 Camaro Z/28 Coupe marks the return of a legend that’s true to its racing roots. Its 7.0-liter LS7 V8 generates 505 hp and 481 lb-ft of torque, and the Z/28 has been designed with a performance-first philosophy that means an obsessive focus on trimming the curb weight as much as possible and tuning the chassis to deliver 1.08G of grip. The carbon-ceramic brakes can bring you to a halt with 1.5 times the force of gravity, and there’s a deep well of performance accessible through five Performance Traction Management modes that help tune the car to the conditions. This is the Camaro you pick when your goal is winning races.

 

There’s a lot to the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro. In any trim, from mild (only relatively) to flat-out wild, the capable Camaro has the chops to back up its looks. Stop in today to learn more, and try them all out for yourself.