The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) at the University of Houston, a professional student organization that aims to lead engineering students to success in all aspects of the engineering disciplines, with conscious intent to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in programs, events, member outreach, learning and development opportunities and scholarships, has received the ASME Student Section Achievement Award for two academic years (2023–2024 and 2024–2025) in a row.
2024–2025 ASME-UH president Bryan Haro, who has since graduated from the Cullen College of Engineering and now works as a mechanical engineer — “putting my degree to good use,” he says — considered carrying on 2023–2024 president Kevin Jandal’s legacy through another win to be a priority in his own presidency.
“It took the whole team — roughly 22 officers — because each and every student put their whole heart into it. Most of us were engineering students, and one of the things [engineering students] have very little of is spare time. We’re always studying, always doing something else that occupies us — applying for jobs, internships, whatnot — but at the end of the day, we all came together and showed up to fully excel at this organization,” Haro said. “That award isn’t my award.”
One of the organization’s most significant contributions, according to Haro, is the opportunities it creates for students.
“We worked very hard to give opportunities, whether it was with projects through ASME or through our print lab (which has grown tremendously) where we were able to afford many printers worth upwards of $1,000. We’ve also grown many connections with other companies that support not only UH, but the younger generations, too,” he added.
Haro’s interest in growing K-12 outreach led to two semesterly events that hosted over 100 students from YES Prep Public Schools in Houston, Texas for a day of STEM and engineering activities designed to educate, entertain and engage.
“The word that comes to me is opportunity,” he said. “Any student who came in wanting to learn something, wanting to do something, wanting to get involved but not sure where to start… we gave them that opportunity. There was no doubt in my mind that that student could attempt or accomplish whatever they pursued. I wanted them to feel welcome and know that we were all there to learn and grow.”
Since graduating, Haro has expanded his involvement to become an ASME National Student Section Ambassador, assisting other student sections across the country to grow, innovate, and develop meaningful leadership and management strategies to help them continue to excel.
ASME-UH’s current 2025–2026 president, mechanical engineering senior Junior Ulloa, continues to uphold the organization’s tradition of contributing to student success on campus.
“Being the organization’s president has profoundly impacted my engineer as a career,” he said. “During my time with ASME, I have gained professional skills and had opportunities to network with engineering companies. ASME brings great value to the Cullen College of Engineering because it not only allows students to gain hands-on skills through numerous projects, but also enhances their chances for success in the industry. [We] help students to prepare for the real world of engineering.”
More information, including announcements, membership requirements and a calendar of upcoming events, can be found at the ASME-UH website.