Sept. 15 marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. As executive co-sponsor of the Micron Hispanic Professionals (MHP) employee resource group, I want to reflect on the occasion and honor the contributions of the MHP to Micron’s culture.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at Micron
Hispanic Heritage Month, observed annually from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, provides an invaluable opportunity to recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the history, culture and achievements of the United States. For our MHP members, this month serves as a catalyst for yearlong activities to foster diversity, inclusion and professional growth.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is not just about observance or recognition; it’s also about leveraging the diverse talents, perspectives and experiences that our Hispanic and Latino colleagues bring to the table. These differences are culturally enriching — and they are a business imperative.
A study by Harvard University found that companies with above average diversity also have higher innovation revenues by 19% and earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) margins by 9% points higher than companies that lack diversity. So creating space for more Hispanics in the semiconductor industry is both the right thing to do and good for business.
Partnering with SHPE
Our partnership with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) aligns perfectly with Micron’s prioritization of inclusion and empowerment. SHPE’s mission — to empower the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and impact the world through science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) awareness, access, support and development — complements our DEI commitment to increase representation in the semiconductor industry. The Hispanic community has a rich history in the sciences. By working with SHPE, we’re building on that history and launching rewarding science and engineering careers in the 21st century.
Growing the talent pipeline
As the complexity of our technologies increases, the semiconductor industry faces a growing skills gap that is especially wide among underrepresented communities. Micron’s partnership with SHPE provides us with a direct channel to a talented, highly skilled pool of engineers. Through internships and direct recruitment, our partnership with SHPE is helping us bridge the representation gap.
Driving innovation and breakthrough solutions
As Nobel Laureate Mario J. Molina once said, “We need scientists all over the world from all different backgrounds.” In an industry driven by relentless innovation, different perspectives often result in groundbreaking solutions. SHPE's focus on educational programs, skills development and mentorship equips Hispanic engineers with the tools they need to be catalysts for innovation. When we embrace this diversity in our teams, we are better suited to tackle complex engineering challenges.
Giving back to our communities
Our commitments extend beyond recruitment and internal development; they’re also about giving back to the community. Through STEM outreach programs targeted at Hispanic youth, we are investing in the next generation of engineers and leaders to uphold the values of diversity and inclusion. This investment resonates deeply with our broader corporate social responsibility goals as we strive to make a positive difference for our colleagues, our communities, our customers and our shareholders.
As we kick off the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, I want to highlight the great work the MHP team has already accomplished, such as launching Language Bits, a program teaching different languages over the lunch hour to celebrate Micron’s diverse cultures. Our work not only enriches Micron's culture but also differentiates us in the competitive and evolving semiconductor industry. We recommit ourselves as champions of diversity and inclusion and look forward to an amazing year ahead.
