Angela Flores-Marcus
B.S., magna cum laude, Electrical Engineering with Computer Engineering Specialization, 2019
Hardware Development Manager II, Amazon.com
“The core of civility is the way we treat one another and make each other feel. We can demonstrate civility by empathizing with others and treating everyone we encounter with kindness and respect. Civility is not about checking good deeds off of a list; it is the simple yet powerful act of treating others with the patience, courtesy, and kindness that we all hope to receive.”
Angela Flores-Marcus, August 2017
Angela Flores-Marcus grew up in Watsonville, CA. Upon moving to Seattle, she decided to go back to school and pursue her dream of becoming an engineer. She hopes to become a role model, mentor, and an inspiration to young women and members of the Latino and LGBT communities. "It is important that we see ourselves reflected in the professional fields that we hope to pursue." Angela has accepted a position as a Hardware Development Engineer at Amazon and is thrilled to represent women of color in this field.
Education: South Seattle College, Associate of Science in Engineering, June 2017
Service:
Women in STEM, President, South Seattle College, 2016 – 2017
Queer-Straight Alliance, Co-Chair, South Seattle College, 2016 – 2017
POW! (Proud, Out and Wonderful!), Mentor, Navos, 2016
Math and Learning Lab, Tutor, South Seattle College, 2016 – 2017
Internet of Things, Undergraduate Research Student, South Seattle College, 2016
Rain City Rock Camp for Girls, Audio Engineering Mentor, 2016
Seattle’s City of Music Career Day, Mentor & Panelist, 2016
Awards/honors:
College of Science and Engineering Reverend Edmund B. McNulty, S.J., Award, 2019
PRIDE Scholarship, Pride Foundation, 2018
Women Techmakers Google Scholarship, 2018
Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Collegiate Member, 2017
Women in Science and Engineering Scholarship, 2017
Messina Scholarship, Seattle University, 2017
PRIDE Scholarship, Pride Foundation, 2017
All-Washington Academic Team, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, 2017
Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team, Coca Cola Scholars Foundation, 2017
Costco Scholarship, South Seattle College Foundation, 2017
President’s List, South Seattle College, quarterly 2015 – 2017
Elmer Lindseth Scholarship, South Seattle College Foundation, 2016
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, member, 2016 – 2017
Goals:
My professional objective is to design and develop innovative electronic systems and devices that are affordable and accessible to low-income communities.
Civility:
The core of civility is the way we treat one another and make each other feel. We can demonstrate civility by empathizing with others and treating everyone we encounter with kindness and respect. Civility is not about checking good deeds off of a list; it is the simple yet powerful act of treating others with the patience, courtesy, and kindness that we all hope to receive.
Autobiography:
Growing up in a two-bedroom house with fifteen people meant that I was always surrounded by noise. Ironically, my escape from the noise and chaos has always been music. When I was a child, we couldn’t afford new electronics and instruments, so I would find used musical equipment to repair and restore. At the time, I didn’t know that this was training in electrical engineering.
My parents immigrated from El Salvador and Mexico shortly before I was born. Together, we learned a new language, culture, and way of life. As a teenager, I did my best to focus on work and make my parents proud. But as I grew older, it became clear that I would not be able to hide who I really was. When my parents discovered that I was gay, they told me to leave their home and forget they existed. While this broke my heart, it made me realize that I had to start thinking about my future. I decided that I would pursue a college degree and finally live up to my potential.
I know firsthand how important role models are for first-generation college students, especially diverse students entering STEM fields. When I started studying at South Seattle College, I took on the role of president of the Women in STEM Club. Cognizant of how important having academic and personal support has been to me, I give back by tutoring developmental math students and mentoring low-income LGBTQ youth within my community.
Earning a degree and pursuing a career in electrical engineering is something that is much greater than my personal professional ambition. I intend to use the knowledge I gain at Seattle University to become a role model, mentor, and an inspiration to young women and members of the Latino and LGBT communities. It is important that we see ourselves reflected in the professional fields that we hope to pursue. Being an Alfie Scholar empowers me to push the STEM culture toward more diversity and inclusivity and show those who struggle with poverty, marginalization, and discrimination that they have a place in STEM fields and that their contributions are valuable.
